Dairy owners will gather outside Labour MPs’ offices today, including the prime minister’s office in Mt Albert, as cabinet meets to discuss what more can be done to address retail crime, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday morning, sign up here.
Vigils and protests planned outside MPs offices
Nationwide protests and vigils are planned for today outside Labour MPs’ offices following the death of Janak Patel, who was killed during a robbery at the Rose Cottage Superette on Wednesday. A “larger vigil” is being held in front of prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s office. Organiser Sunny Kaushal said the vigil and protest were intended to be “a mark of respect to dairy and retail workers killed, injured or robbed serving their community”.
Crime comes to the fore for Hamilton West byelection
A protest was held yesterday in Te Rapa, Hamilton. Opposition leader Christpher Luxon attended the protest with Hamilton West byelection candidate Tama Potaka. Small business owners called on the government to address crime, and support and protect small business owners. As Politik’s Richard Harman writes, it brings the issue of crime to fore for the upcoming Hamilton West byelection. Labour’s byelection candidate Georgie Dansey did not attend the protest but Labour’s Hamilton East MP, Jamie Strange did.
Cabinet will discuss what more can be done today
Cabinet will meet today to discuss what more can be done about retail crime. Speaking on Saturday, the prime minister said she had met with police, justice, and Oranga Tamariki on the day of the stabbing about the rise of crime. Cabinet will look at and discuss possible options regarding crime prevention and what more could be done. “It has to be a mix of prevention, intervention, and responsibility. Prosecuting and holding to account those who are responsible,” she said.
Australian deportation policy “not going anywhere”
As the Herald reported yesterday, the 34-year old man charged with murdering Janak Patel was deported from Australia this year. The grounds for his deportation from Australia cannot be reported for legal reasons. Andrew Macfarlane spoke to the Australian home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil on Q&A yesterday who said that while they were looking at the treatment of New Zealanders in Australia, the 501 deportation policy wasn’t going anywhere. “I think this is an important national security policy for our country,” she said.