Hawkins ducks parliamentary interrogation

Police Minister George Hawkins confronts media outside the northern communication office in Auckland yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Pressure continues to mount on Police Commissioner Rob Robinson and Police Minister George Hawkins to resign following a scathing report into the 111 emergency service.

The report, which revealed the police 111 service was inadequate and potentially putting the public at risk, is being used by Opposition MPs as evidence that Mr Hawkins and Mr Robinson have not been performing and should resign.

Mr Hawkins came under attack for failing to turn up to answer questions in Parliament yesterday, a day after the report was released.

Instead the Government put up one its strongest performers, Justice Minister Phil Goff, to defend Mr Hawkins, considered one its weakest ministers.

There was also an allegation in Parliament that Mr Robinson had colluded with the Government to release the report a day early under the cover of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

National MP Tony Ryall said the date on the report was May 12, but it was released a day early, when the foot-and-mouth scare was dominating the news.

Mr Goff said the report was released early because the police senior team was gathered in Wellington and it would have made headlines no matter when it was released.

Despite the pressure on both Mr Hawkins and Mr Robinson to resign, both men say they have no intention to do so. They also appear to still have the support of the Government despite a series of embarrassing police problems.

Mr Hawkins said he did not attend Parliament because he had a prior civil defence engagement in Tauranga.

However due to fog at Hamilton airport, Mr Hawkins could not get to Tauranga and instead decided to visit the police northern communications centre in Auckland.

When asked why he had not fronted up in Parliament, Mr Hawkins said: "It's most important that I know what is happening here [the communications centre], how the staff feel about it [the report]."

He did attend Parliament on Wednesday and participated in a snap debate on the 111 report.

But the Police Minister, who has been continually under pressure this year over policing matters, appears to be gaining a reputation for not showing up when contentious issues surface.

And after last month's police pornography scandal was revealed, Mr Hawkins declined to be interviewed.

Yesterday in Parliament, Mr Goff, on behalf of the Prime Minister who was also absent, said he had confidence in Mr Hawkins.

When asked if he had confidence in Mr Robinson and his performance he said: "Generally, yes".

"Nobody is perfect. Every chief executive officer does some things very well and other things less well. One makes a judgment on a person on the basis of the totality of his or her performance.

"The Government has been pleased with the totality of this commissioner's performance."

Mr Robinson declined to be interviewed by the Herald.