Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Who’s Telling Porkies?

Ron Mark MP

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Spokesperson for Police
28 MARCH 2017

Who’s Telling Porkies: the Public, Police Association, Or the Minister?

Minister of Police Paula Bennett is either telling porkies or she can’t handle her portfolio, says New Zealand First Police Spokesperson Ron Mark.

“In Parliament, New Zealand First asked the minister why she did not advise the public that 200 police were being axed this year and she said we had our facts completely and utterly wrong.

“Yet the Police Association has stated the country’s 26 Vehicle Safety Officers (VSOs) are to be cut, then we have the road transport forum chief executive Ken Shirley confirming there’s a restructure of the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU)

“New Zealand First has also received confidential emails from the public advising cuts are being made of VSOs, the CVIU and also in highway patrols

“The minister is saying something entirely different – that no decisions have yet been made and consultation is still going on.

“The Police Association would not go out and make such statements lightly, so the minister needs to tell the public the true facts.

“Axing these jobs at a time of high numbers of road fatalities will mean our roads will become increasingly dangerous.

“The alternative SH63/SH7 route being used after the Kaikoura earthquake is one example of how safety standards are slipping on our roads.

“Instead of cutting the VSOs, CVIU and highway patrols there is strong case for them to be increased.

“It is doubly strange the government is cutting these jobs when they are aiding and abetting in the death of KiwiRail with lines being shut down forcing more trucks on our roads.

“In view of facts, it is very clear Paula Bennett is not up to her job,” says Mr Mark.

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.