Safe communities are top priority

National’s recent special AGM in the newly established seat of Botany buzzed with excitement. The room was full of people of all ages from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds.  Executive committee spots were hotly contested and the meeting and ballots ran late into the night.  It was what a political meeting should be like – full of energy, passion, and a contest of ideas and positions.  I am seeking National’s nomination for Botany, and I am excited for the seat’s future.

Spending two years in Auckland Central as a list MP has reinforced that I can be an effective constituent MP.  People from Waiheke Island and Auckland City approach my office every day for help on a diverse range of areas, including health and mental health, ACC, housing, immigration, law and order, swimming pools, and senior citizen concerns. The fact is that the needs and wants of Asian communities are no different from any other, and I have helped many people solve their problems. Regularly helping the Asian community has sharpened my ability to be on the ball and up to date with all portfolio areas, and the only difference between my and other offices is that my staff and I sometimes have to communicate with constituents in a different language.

I entered politics because I come from an ethnic minority background, and I believe New Zealand is one nation with many people sharing the same values.  To this day, my views are unchanged. And now that I have acquired my political apprenticeship it’s time to show that fair-minded New Zealanders can choose elected representatives based on their competence, commitment, and passion.  Seeking the nomination for Botany will start a new page in New Zealand’s political history.

Botany is a progressive area where parents want a high standard of education for their children, senior citizens want to be listened to as the area continues its fast development, and businesses have told me they are concerned about infrastructure, high taxes and red tape. 

However, the area of biggest concern is the high crime rate, which is reaffirmed by my good friend Judith Collins, who is seeking the nomination for the Papakura seat.

Looking through 10 years of crime statistics for Counties Manukau reveals that the area has at least kept pace with the country’s rising crime fate.  The fear that crime is getting worse is very real, with increases in violent crime, drugs and anti-social offences, and property damage.

For a long time, Asian people in the area have complained about being targeted by criminals.  In Howick there have been many instances of bag snatching and burglary.  One of the reasons Asians are being targeted are statements by some community spokespeople and police that Asians don’t report crime.  This is not true – they report crime like any other New Zealanders.  They want the police response to be effective.

It’s a basic requirement in a First World society to feel safe, and over the past few years that basic right has been eroding. 

National will not stand for this, and yesterday, leader John Key outlined the first of our policies to restore safety to our communities.

National will equip police with modern-day tools to help them clamp down on criminals and gangs.  Tasers will be introduced, subject to a positive police review on their use.  DNA samples will be taken from all those arrested for offences punishable by imprisonment (and destroyed if suspects are found not guilty). We will give police the ability to issue on-the-spot domestic violence protection orders. We will reverse the 2007 amendment to the Bail Act which makes it easier for accused to get bail and harder for police to keep them behind bars.

National will also strengthen provisions in the law that make it illegal to be a member of a criminal organisation. We will amend the Crimes Act to make it easier for police to conduct surveillance on gang communications. We will change the local Government Act to give police increased powers to remove and storm gang fortifications. We will amend the Sentencing Act to make gang membership an aggravating factor in sentencing.

National will support the campaign to recruit an additional 1,000 sworn and 250 non-sworn police by mid 2009, and make sure that the bulk of these additional sworn officers are deployed to pro-active policing to make our streets safer and prevent crime.

Our plans for the police will be followed in coming months with policy on youth justice, enhancing the rights of victims, sentencing for the worst offenders, rehabilitating offenders, and improving the management of our prisons and our courts.

Meanwhile, I look forward to getting out and about in Botany and listening to and engaging with you all.

Pansy Wong
 
www.pansywong.co.nz
www.national.org.nz  

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