When Ministers in the previous Labour government opened new buildings or conferences, it was their custom to acknowledge National Party MPs who had made a special contribution to the event or opening. Not to do so is small-minded.
Police Minister Judith Collins consistently shows herself to be just so small-minded. That doesn’t worry me personally, but I was absolutely gobsmacked on Friday when she opened the new Christchurch South police station, and failed to mention the immense debt this new building owes to the advocacy of Progressive MP Jim Anderton over a decade and a half. Instead, Collins trumpeted the new building as proof of National’s commitment to police and policing. National had nothing to do with this new station except as de facto purchasers of the ribbon Judith Collins cut. The station was planned and funded under Labour, but inspired by Jim Anderton’s tireless support.
Judith Collins was incredibly ungracious. The police and public around the country have come to expect that, but Jim Anderton deserved better. Perhaps this picture of Jim and former Minister Annette King turning the first sod at the station site helps redress the balance.
Welcome to the blogosphere Clayton mate. About bloody time too. Good post. Looking forward to hearing your unique voice on a regular basis.
it does seem a poor show by Crusher.
She does get under your skin aye Clayton .. can’t wait for Q time replay at 6 o’clock for more fun.
Is that Tizard..???
What do we have to thank Jim for? Banning party pills? and what, rorting the MMP system so he gets the funding of a Party Leader when in reality he is just defacto labour?
He doesn’t get my appreciation
Is that not what he was elected to do? come on Jim now do the right thing and dissolve your sham party and stop rorting the poor taxpayer, what say you to that?
I would like to see Jim retire or REjoin the Labour Party as well BUT if he did do so much for the Police Stn then he should have been present.
Why are Labour hugging the corpse that is Jim Anderton? I thought you chucked him out years ago?
At least National haven’t let Winston back.
that was interesting Cactus, when Phil would NOT rule out working with Winston again
Collins: “A police station is more than a place for officers to work – it is a power for good in the community.” Let’s see how long that sort of line lasts…station closures, coming to a community near you.
By the way, Kate, if we’re talking hugging corpses I think you only need to look as far as ACT. I mean,Jim Anderton is only a month younger than Roger Douglas – Jim looks spry, Roger Douglas looks like the Cryptkeeper…
Ungraciousness must be a common Tory trait, going by the contributions here. Not that John W Key could pronounce it.
Three shovels to turn one sod? Somewhat indicative of bureaucracy in New Zealand huh?
get real Clayton. The voters thanked you lot for billions of our money you spent over your last term.
We called it the election
Thanks for your contributions both for and against. I wait with interest to read Judith Collins’ first statement when she opens something; such as a police station, a prison or even an out house that her government has actually funded itself!
What hypocrisy and disrespect.
The Member for Papakura has just forced the police to prepare a major restructuring document called “Fit for the Future”. This is a blueprint for National’s slash and burn of police service levels like you’ve never seen.
This is bad news for the safety of all New Zealanders. Watch this space.
Good grief, that prick(ly0 Cactus Grate compares Anderton to Peters? Superficial intelligence at work.
Nathan – yep, it take lots of workers to build something but only one National MP to claim credit for their work.
So, let me get this straight – Jim is Leader in Parliament of his own party, and a member of yours? National spent years feeding off your perceived willingness to act to the letter of the law but not the spirit, and they’ll take advantage of this too.
She is crushing the police system 8o Yeah, I think on this one Anderton should have been given some of the credit. Though I’m not happy with his inaction over pigs being farmed in crates.
Jared, do you mean rorting the system like English, for personal gain, or like Dunne, for parliamentary gain? Just clarifying.
I was there and in the defence of Minister Collins, others like Mayor Bob Parker acknowledged the work of your mates.
No Labour MPs or Jim the one man Party bothered to be there and they were invited. It was opening of a Police Station and not a memorial to the Labour party. Seems a little bit of sour grapes to me.
if it is true, as Aaron says, that Labour (and Jim?) were invited and turned the offer down, then I take back my dig at crusher.
As with the ETS scrap going on, there seems to be a lot of “he said, she said” going on.
Regarding closing Police Stations. Why don’t we all wait and see before slagging National off?
I think your missing the point here Aaron (who I assume is the National List MP based in Chch). While National MPs are making a habit out of reinventing history, it may pay to re-read Judith Collins’ media statement and speech from the opening of the new Sydenham police station. Judith Collins did not make one mention of Jim Anderton’s longstanding advocacy for a new police station in Sydenham. Interestingly enough she did try to claim credit for the new station (which was completely funded by the previous Labour Government) and even went as far as saying the new station was “proof of our commitment to a police service that is well supported and well resourced.” I don’t know that the 340 police officers who have just lost their police cars as a result of Judith Collins’ cuts to the police vehicle fleet would necessarily agree with her on that.
Unfortunately the opening coincided with the Labour Party Conference in Rotorua. For the record Jim Anderton put apologies in for all Chch Labour MPs in writing to Senior Sgt Rob Patterson to pass on our best wishes for the opening.
Its funny I hear you all saying that National is going to close down Police stations because of the review. I was under the impression the review was instigated by the previous government, am I mistaken in this?
Why was my comment deleted? It said it was up for moderation (weird) and still hasnt appeared. Can I get an explanation?
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Geek – seems like you were right.
Heck – I had forgotten that George Hawkins (labour) actually suggested police pay for their own training !!!
Labour earmarked dozens of stations for closure
Wednesday, 2 September 2009, 3:16 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Hon Judith Collins
Minister of Police
2 September 2009
Media Statement
Labour earmarked dozens of stations for closure
The police do not have a list of police stations identified for closure, unlike the previous Labour government under which secret reports were written targeting dozens of North Island police stations, Police Minister Judith Collins said.
“This government opens police stations, not closes them. This Government has already opened five new police stations this year, with a sixth – in Christchurch South – due to be opened on September 11,” Ms Collins said.
“Despite alarmist claims by the Opposition, I am advised there is no list of police stations identified for closure.
“Their claims ring hollow given that under their watch secret reports were written that looked at closing or merging hundreds of police stations around the North Island to save money.”
Earlier, in 2000, the Labour government came under fire from the Police Association for allowing basic facilities and equipment to become run down. In some areas basic equipment items, even things like raincoats, weren’t being provided.
“The then Police Minister, George Hawkins, went so far as to suggest making police recruits pay for their training was among options under review to free up money for spending in other areas,” Ms Collins said. “Police funding their own training is an outrageous idea.”
Ms Collins said that like all Government departments, the police are constantly evaluating budgets to ensure the taxpayer is getting value for money.
“This government is committed to ensuring our police are well trained, well resourced and well supported,” Ms Collins said.
“I have made it clear to the police that any reduction in spending should not jeopardise the safety of the public. I have received an assurance from the Police Commissioner that it won’t.”
Bikerkiwi, if you read the media release, you will find that there is no evidence in the body of the release to back up the headline. Could that be because the headline is made up? Indeed, if “police do not have a list of police stations identified for closure” as the Minister says, her own words prove the headline is made up?
Jennifer – like a lot of the left get confused – you see its labour who are in opposition.
what she is saying is ““Despite alarmist claims by the Opposition (thats you guys), I am advised there is no list of police stations identified for closure.”
thats because under national they are not drawing up list to close stations.
then she says “Their claims ring hollow given that under their watch secret reports were written that looked at closing or merging hundreds of police stations around the North Island to save money.”
ahhh – so labour were drawing up reports to have stations closed / merged.
so the headline is not made up – labour had reports written earmarking stations for closure.
I note also you didnt comment on labours police minister talking about plice paying for their own training (which is funny bacause the labour are fighting for the tax payer to pay for soccer mum belly dancing lessons via ACE)
Bikerkiwi, either there is a list or “no” list. I believe the Minister that there is no list. And if there’s no list, what on earth is the Minister on about?
national have no list.
labour had reports written looking at closing or merging stations.
the minister is very clear – if you cannot understand it – i suggest you get someone to help.
The Minister says that Labour had no list. I believe her.
Um, why should we believe National as no list? Where is the evidence that Labour had a list, or even had reports written? Or do you just believe everything a politician from the right says, without qualification?
The simple fact of the matter is that National is clearly looking at this issue – it has been confirmed by Police. So I am sure that National will have a list once the Police report back.
This issue is very clear, Mr BikerKiwi, I hope that I have helped you understand it.
in the house last week, crusher said in an answer that over the previous 9 LONG years, Labour had 4 reviews on Police properties and flogged off 37 or so .. Im I correct?
Jabba take a week off to consider appropriate language Trevor
Jim is not considered a corpse in Christchurch and Winston certainly doesn’t need National.
You would think with all that money he has ,Key would get himself off to a good elocution teacher.