The coalition Government’s latest action plan is focused on “making Kiwis safer and restoring law and order”, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.
The Quarter 3 Action Plan has 40 points, eight of which fall under the law and order heading. There are 19 goals focused on the economy and cost of living, and 12 goals aimed at “deliver[ing] better public services”.
It comes as the 1News Verian poll last week showed most people do not think the coalition Government’s law and order policies have made them feel safer. Less than one in five people polled (19%) felt more safe, while 18% felt less safe, and 58% said the policies made no difference to their feeling of safety. There were 5% who didn’t know or preferred not to say.
It’s something Police Minister Mark Mitchell has put his role on the line for – reconfirming to 1News last week he would resign if people did not feel safer by November 27 this year – the one-year anniversary of his swearing into the role.
Today, announcing the new action plan at his regular post-Cabinet press conference, Luxon said his Government was “one of action” and was already making meaningful changes to keep New Zealanders safe in their homes, workplaces and communities.
“The 40 actions in the Q3 plan span the Government’s core priorities to rebuild the economy, deliver better public services and infrastructure, but a significant focus is on restoring law and order.
“This includes passing four laws that will crack down on criminal activity and support offenders to turn their lives around.”
The end point for the latest action plan is September 30, by which time the Government has pledged to give police more power to disperse gang members, ban gang patches in public, and “give police more power to get guns out of the hands of criminals”.
It has also committed to increase access to rehabilitation for prisoners on remand and improving “efficiency in the courts and increase access to justice”.
Luxon said it would also introduce legislation to “toughen up sentencing and ensure there are real consequences for crime”, as well as establishing a boot camp / military-style academy for serious and persistent young offenders.
“We are also taking steps to keep Kiwis safer on our roads and will introduce legislation to enable roadside testing for drug driving.”
Luxon said having a “clear plan with specific actions and timeframes for delivery” created momentum and focused government.
“Improving education outcomes remains a key part of the plan. The Q3 plan sees the opening of applications for new or converted charter schools, releasing a draft of new English and Maths curriculum and continuing initiatives to improve school attendance.
“Also prominent in our Q3 agenda are actions to deliver high quality infrastructure that will drive economic growth, boost productivity, and enhance our way of life.
“This includes passing legislation on our Local Water Done Well policy to deliver financially sustainable water services, opening the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund, and making Cabinet decisions on sensible changes to the fast-track consenting programme.”
The Government also marked the end of the last quarter’s action plan, having achieved, it said, 35 out of 36 goals.
The unachieved goal was “take decisions to disestablish Te Pūkenga and consult on a proposed replacement model”. The Government noted decisions had been “taken” and consultation was due to begin shortly.
The mega-polytechnic, established under the last Labour Government, is within the purview of Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds, who was sacked from the disability issues portfolio in April after a botched announcement over cuts to respite care, with the Prime Minister saying at the time the role required a senior minister.
The full Coalition Government’ Q3 Action Plan for New Zealand can be viewed here.
