28 December 2001 Media Statement

Big investment means another 448 new police cars

Additional spending of $16.65 million announced today will enable Police to buy about 448 new police cars in 2001/02, said Police Minister George Hawkins.

“This Government wants excellent results from police, and to get results Police need the tools for the job – including safe and modern vehicles.

“Unfortunately, the National Government was happy to cut spending on vehicles to bankroll the failed INCIS system – for example, only 140 police cars were replaced in 1996/97. That kind of under spending created a run-down and unreliable police fleet, which we are still working to upgrade.

“Luckily for New Zealanders, the Labour Alliance government is absolutely committed to providing police with the vehicles they need, and we have put money where our mouth is.

“For example, in the 2000/01 year, we invested over $17 million on new cars for police. And earlier this month we celebrated the final rollout of the Highway Patrol, where a government investment of $76.5 million has provided 183 dedicated Highway Patrol vehicles throughout the country.

“Under this Government, police are achieving great results – crime is down, and resolution rates are up. And with our continuing investment in resources for police, I am sure we can look forward to more great work,” said Mr Hawkins.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>