Chris Hipkins must answer questions about Labour’s cosy relationship with gangs after one of his own candidates refused to back his attempt to rule out the Greens and Te Pāti Māori from Police and Corrections portfolios in a Labour-led coalition.
“Chris Hipkins can try to talk tough, but Labour’s record on gangs tells a very different story,” National’s Campaign Chair Simeon Brown says.
“In a debate last night, Labour’s Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni wouldn’t back her leader’s attempt to keep the Greens and Te Pāti Māori away from Police and Corrections.
“Following the same debate, questions are now being raised about whether Kerrin Leoni has been truthful about visiting a gang pad.
“The official statement from the Labour Party responding to speculation about Kerrin Leoni visiting a gang pad said she hadn’t done so ‘the week prior’. But has she visited a gang pad or met with gangs at any other time as a Labour candidate?
“In government, Labour funnelled millions of taxpayer dollars to the Mongrel Mob to ‘help’ get people off the drugs that the gang itself was selling to people.
“Chris Hipkins gave gang bosses special treatment to cross the borders imposed in Auckland during the Covid-19 lockdowns, while hardworking Aucklanders were told they couldn’t say goodbye to their dying loved ones.
“Willie Jackson invited gang members into his ministerial office.
“Labour voted against National’s gang patch ban.
“This all shows just how deep Labour’s soft spot for gangs runs. From the top of the party down to its candidates, Labour keeps showing New Zealanders it is far too close to the gangs.
“Labour has yet to release a single law and order policy this campaign. Instead, New Zealanders are left wondering which of National’s gang laws Labour would unwind to appease the gangs and activists it depends on for support.
“If Labour’s own candidates won’t back Chris Hipkins on gangs, New Zealanders can’t trust Labour to stand up to them.”
