Minister for Ram Raids’ record speaks for itself

“Is anyone surprised the Minister for Ram Raids doesn’t have any Law and Order policy? Chris Hipkins’ record on law and order is shameful and yet another reason why we need to lock Labour out,” says ACT’s Deputy Leader Nicole McKee.

“Chris Hipkins’ fingerprints are all over many of the last Labour Government’s lowlights. He was the Minister for Education who saw truancy explode, the Minister for Health who vaporised billions of taxpayer dollars as the health system got worse, and the Minister of Police who saw crime levels explode and New Zealand become a global outlier for ram raids. 

“Victims of crime will never forget what Labour’s record in Government looked like:

• Ram raids went from about two a week to two a day. Police logged 100 in 2017 and 714 in 2022.

• The number of crime victims rose by 45,000.

• Robbery victims rose 45 per cent and theft victims rose by a quarter.

“No wonder Labour won't go near law and order this election. If Chris Hipkins seriously wants to govern again, he needs to be able to assure New Zealanders they will be safe in their homes, businesses and communities. He can't, and that's why we need to lock Labour out.

“And the parties he would rely on to form a Government have even worse instincts. The Greens' Tamatha Paul has supported fundraising for a group that wants to abolish prisons and police, and questioned the value of police on the beat. Te Pāti Māori MPs are meeting with the Mongrel Mob and promising to restore gang members' mana. 

“Since the change of government, things have turned around:

• There are 48,000 fewer crime victims a year, below where Labour started.

• Theft victims are down 31 per cent and robbery victims are down 21 per cent.

• Ram raids are down 85 per cent from their peak.

• About 37,000 fewer people are experiencing violent crime. The target was 20,000.

“ACT has driven the change by bringing back Three Strikes and ending Labour’s misguided policy like lowering the prison population and taxpayer-funded cultural reports. 

“But we're not finished. ACT is campaigning to go even further in the next Government by extending Three Strikes to burglary, so repeat burglars face a minimum three years in prison, and cracking down on rural crime with more police patrols and tougher penalties for offenders.

“That's the choice this election. On one side is the Minister for Ram Raids and a collection of anti-police and pro-gang parties. On the other is ACT, which has helped turn the tide on crime and has a plan to go further.

“Party Vote ACT to re-elect the Government and make it go further and faster on law and order.”