Simon Power National Party Law & Order Spokesman

8 December 2005

Don't thank us, just hire the police

National's Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power, says New Zealand First should not waste time thanking National for ensuring there will be an extra 1,000 sworn frontline police in three years' time - they should just make sure it happens.

He is referring to confirmation in Parliament today by the Police Minister that the extra police staff agreed to in Labour's confidence and supply agreement with NZ First would all be sworn frontline officers.

"It took them a long time to get there, but they have finally sorted it out after it caused NZ First a lot of embarrassment.

"They were duped by Dr Cullen's clever use of words, and were running around the country claiming 1,000 extra 'frontline staff', while the Police Minister was claiming the agreement was for 1,000 extra 'staff'.

"Even NZ First's Deputy Leader was looking concerned, saying on 1 November: 'There is some confusion. Dr Cullen and myself have identified that and it is being worked on.'

"Labour's deception was threatening to split their comfortable little arrangement till National stepped in and pointed out the obvious.

"Now, hopefully, Labour has been forced to retreat from this deception and we can all look forward to having more police on our streets," says Mr Power.

"But there's no need for NZ First to thank National - they should get on and make sure it happens. Let's just hope they have read all the small print."

ENDS

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