PM lashes out at 'bullying'

Police Minister George Hawkins (left) has the support of Prime Minister Helen Clark who says she is satisfied that he does a good job. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday accused the Opposition of "schoolyard bullying" in its treatment of Police Minister George Hawkins.

National leader Don Brash said that was totally untrue and found Helen Clark's attitude "slightly patronising" towards Mr Hawkins.

Mr Hawkins withstood daily pressure in Parliament last week and the week before over apparent failures in the 111 system and the slowness of police to arrest Tuhoe activist Tame Iti on firearms charges.

Mr Hawkins' slurred speech - the effects of a stroke he suffered in the early 1990s - has frequently been referred to by commentators in the past two weeks as an impediment to clear communication.

But Helen Clark went a lot further yesterday in suggesting it was a reason he was an Opposition target.

"I think he was subjected to what I describe as schoolyard bullying, taking advantage of a speech impediment, but I am satisfied that he does a good job.

"They have certainly gone for a minister who they know has some difficulties expressing himself but that's life; that's politics. I simply observe that it is schoolyard bullying behaviour that we are seeing."

Asked if she wanted the Opposition to be gentler on her minister she said: "No. It's up to the Opposition how they behave but I don't think it necessarily does them great credit particularly when a lot of the allegations are wild and inaccurate."

She said claims by New Zealand First MP Ron Mark that traffic officers in Christchurch would not respond to a nearby 111 call turned out not to be true - the traffic patrol car was not on duty when the call was made.

She said Mr Hawkins had her confidence.

"He is a conscientious minister. He cannot be held accountable for every operational error in police practice."

Asked if he would still be Police Minister through to the election, she said: "I've got no plans to have anyone else. I announced the Cabinet line-up in December and that's the line-up I intend to take through to the election."

She said communication between Mr Hawkins' office and that of Police Commissioner Rob Robinson had been addressed.

"I personally found it unacceptable that on one day the week before, the minister went to the House not knowing that the police were about to issue a statement saying that charges would be laid against Tame Iti."

She had no regrets that the term of the commissioner had been extended.

Mr Hawkins' spokesman said he never acknowledged that his disability was a hindrance in doing his job.

He welcomed the Prime Minister's support at this time.

Dr Brash said the Opposition's attack was about the 111 service.

"The reality is he has got in the 111 service something the public has seriously lost confidence in.

"We had 'dial 111 and scream', then we had 'dial 111 and they'll send a taxi', and of course more recently we've had 'dial 111 and start walking'."

George Hawkins

* Labour MP for Manurewa since 1990.

* Minister of Police, Internal Affairs, Civil Defence, Veterans' Affairs.

* Former Mayor of Papakura.