Todd McClay: Let's put the victims first

This bill is an important step forward in creating safer communities for our children and families. MY private member's bill to ban the display of gang insignia from central and local government buildings will soon have its third and final reading in Parliament - the last hurdle before becoming law. This bill is an important step forward in creating safer communities for our children and families.

In 2011 I publicised my desire to bring this bill before Parliament and it has been positively supported by most New Zealanders to its current stage. There has also been much debate, in particular around my decision to widen the scope of the bill to include every school in New Zealand.

The bill makes it an offence to wear a gang patch in all government departments and council offices, with those who contravene the law subject to arrest, fine and the insignia being confiscated and destroyed. Following recommendations of the select committee, it will include all schools, kindergartens and police stations. This was an important amendment in response to concerns raised by Murupara Area School who made a strong submission to the committee saying that children at school don't need to be exposed to gang insignia, instead they should be protected from the harm that gangs cause.

The gang patch is not a patriotic flag and gangs are not benevolent community organisations. Gangs are criminal organisations responsible for significant harm and misery through their involvement in the drug trade and gang patches are signs of cowardice and intimidation by those who wear them. They announce to the world that they have more than likely engaged in significant criminal activity to earn the right to wear a patch, and that they are happy to intimidate law-abiding people in our communities.

My bill is about giving the police the tools that they need to disrupt criminal activity and putting the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens before those of gang thugs. It's about sending a message to gang members that their intimidation and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated by society.

There is significant and growing support for measures to put victims first. It was encouraging to see a number of groups and organisations from across New Zealand make submissions to the Law and Order Committee in support of this bill. Close to home the Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki District Councils expressed their concern for gang intimidation, saying this law would provide welcome relief to ratepayers and the people who work in council buildings.

I must add that I particularly appreciate the support of Rotorua District Councillor Charles Sturt who made a personal submission to the committee in support of my bill.

This Government's law and order policies are having a real impact. Rates of reported crime, including violent crime, have been falling and recently we announced the seizure of $150 million of assets from criminals since this Government passed the Proceeds of Crime Act a few years ago.

For the first time ever, gangs are starting to hurt because we are hitting them where it hurts the most, in their pockets.

Feeling safe in our homes and on our streets is a basic right. Each one of us is entitled to it and through the Government's comprehensive programme to protect communities and our continued support of the excellent job done by our police together we are achieving results. My bill to ban gang insignia is another step towards ensuring that law-abiding New Zealanders are safer in their communities.