National tries to play catch-up with customs funding

The National Government’s decision to increase customs funding doesn’t make up for last year's budget cuts, Labour Customs spokesman Su’a William Sio.

“While Labour welcomes this $5.9 million of capital funding over the next two years, the reality is customs had its budget slashed by $2 million last year,” Su’a William Sio said.

“Given the Minister’s earlier admission that he has “no idea” of the volume of precursors still entering New Zealand without interception, how many opportunities to stop drugs entering the country were lost because of last years cost cutting?

“Maurice Williamson told a Select Committee in June last year that he didn’t know the volume of drugs or their precursors entering this country without interception.

“The Government should come clean and admit this year’s increase, is about making up for last year’s budget cuts rather than advancing customs.

“When asked in written questions how the Minister will protect our borders, he responded he would ‘target the most high traffic entry points so as to maintain the most cost effective use of resources’.

“It shows that we are leaving our borders vulnerable by not being vigilant on all entry points in the country.

“I worry that Budget 2010 will be another failed opportunity for the Customs Minister as we saw in Budget 2009 when $2 million was cut,” Su’a William Sio said.

ENDS

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