Speeches 

MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) : I rise to support the referral of this bill to the Law and Order Committee. I am very proud, obviously, to be part of a Government that has a plan for the future and is absolutely committed to protecting Kiwis, their families, and their communities. Very obviously, we are committed to a safe environment for families, young people, old people, and other members of our communities.

Indeed, I acknowledge—and Chester Borrows would say the same thing, I think—that banning gangs or patches is not in itself a solution to the gang violence problem. But I do acknowledge that the bill raises some very important issues, and I think that the submission process at the select committee will be very, very useful, as we engage together in terms of addressing this particular issue.

Looking at the bill itself, I want to—dare I say it—give praise to Chester Borrows. I found it interesting to read the background in terms of what other countries are doing. I think the select committee members will find it quite interesting to see what is being done in other jurisdictions to address the issue of gangs and gang insignia, gang patches, and that kind of thing. We have certainly been given examples relating to the United States, England, Wales, and Europe. I myself, along with others, was in the state of Utah last year. I talked to the Utah authorities about the significant gang problem they have in Salt Lake City, in particular with some of the ethnic gangs and some of the second and third generation sons and daughters of migrants, and, particularly—interestingly enough—from some of our Pacific Island nations. We heard about some of the work that has been done, and about the issue of gang insignia, uniforms, and that kind of thing, which was also important. I note also the reference to England, Germany, and Wales, etc. The bill’s general policy statement gives those of us who are not residents of Wanganui or do not have a connection with Wanganui some context and background, but I suspect that the select committee will be looking at this issue in terms of the rest of the country.

I certainly do not want to get into a slanging match with other members of Parliament tonight, but I believe—and I do not think it is rocket science—that people should be able to live in a community and feel comfortable. They should be able to live in a community and not have a sense or a hint of intimidation or be intimidated. Where certain forms of insignia are used in a way that will intimidate people, then that goes beyond the fundamental rights in this country of freedom of speech and freedom of movement. I think anyone suggesting that we do not have a serious gang issue in this country is denying reality. We are not alone in this. We are not the only country that has issues with gangs.

I note a comment that says: “Some members of the Mongrel Mob say gangs can live in New Zealand peacefully, and banning patches is not the way to stop the violence.” In itself, that might be correct. This bill may be part of a broad suite of measures.

Gang members told a Prison Fellowship conference at the weekend that they are teaching young people in the gang about a life without crime. I am very sceptical of that, because from what I have seen, in terms of the evidence, the actual rhetoric does not match the record and the behaviour. So I am very sorry but I am a sceptic regarding that statement. They said they have “encouraged many young people to get into employment schemes and to get involved in their community”, and they said “The bill being taken to Parliament to ban gang patches and insignia in parts of Wanganui will not resolve tension.” They continued: “The Mongrel Mob members say that the recent gang-related fatal shooting of a 2-year-old girl in Wanganui undermines the good work they are doing.” Forgive me, but I say respectfully that I am a big sceptic of that statement. I have seen no evidence of that yet. Frankly, the gangs that have names such as the Mongrel Mob and Black Power are not walking the walk, talking the talk, and there is very clear evidence of that. If members talk to the New Zealand Police, and to the serious crime unit in my neck of the woods in Hamilton, they will hear that there is a very clear involvement of gangs and gang culture in serious crime in this country. So I certainly do not take those statements at face value.

I also recognise that in itself Chester Borrows’ bill is not the complete answer, but at least in terms of this Parliament it starts a very serious discussion. I think that we will be richer, and the select committee will be richer, if we seriously consider this bill. I also acknowledge the Wanganui District Council and the support of the New Zealand Police Association, which says that the bill is a reflection of what frontline police think about gangs and gang activity. Indeed, I quote from a New Zealand Press Association report of a letter to the Wanganui District Council from the president of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O’Connor: “The Association applauds the efforts of the Council to assist in your attempt to show the citizens of Wanganui that overt gang behaviour will not be tolerated. We believe a successful law in your city could become the model for the country.” Indeed, we note that.

Hon Tariana Turia: It won’t.

MARTIN GALLAGHER: With due respect, I do not want to get into a slanging match with the Māori Party tonight. I will listen really closely to the contribution from the Māori Party speakers because I believe that they have a message, and I will be listening very closely to that message.

I find it unusual to be praising Chester Borrows, but he has been a very constructive member of the Law and Order Committee, which I used to chair, and at least he has put something on the Table for this Parliament to get its teeth into. I think we should be constructive in our approach.

I know that the issue of gangs and gang culture goes beyond purely the issue of insignia. I know that Ron Mark, the chairperson of the Law and Order Committee, and other members on this side of the House would agree with me that this is an important discussion to be had. Can this bill make a contribution in addressing the issues around gang culture? The one thing I will be looking at very closely during the select committee’s consideration is the whole issue of intimidation and the very fact that someone can waltz into town, into a building, or into a pub or a bar in an aggressive way and present aggressive behaviour and all that that implies.

It is not without some substance that a democratically elected city council supports this bill. I absolutely acknowledge that that council will not represent all of the opinion in the Wanganui area or other areas, but the very fact that a democratically elected city council supports this bill, and that the New Zealand Police Association supports this bill, means that it deserves a very respectful and serious hearing. The select committee may be able to come up with some very effective law that will be one way in which we help to address the serious scourge of gang culture in this country. Thank you

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