Nicole McKee: Associate Justice Minister hits back at Police Association over firearms reform

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Police Association won't be left out of consultation on the firearms registry.

Association President Chris Cahill has penned an open letter asking for Nicole McKee's role in reviewing the law to be stripped and given to the Police Minister.

McKee says the association wasn't asked for early consultation but police were - she says they will get their chance down the track.

She says the claims that she was head of the firearms lobby in 2017 are off base.

"I've always been quite open and friendly towards them - but when somebody wants to make personal attacks against a person... I just think that's unnecessary." 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Right.

Speaker 2 (00:02):
The stat has broken out between the Police Association and
the Minister responsible for gun reform. The Police Association has
written an open letter to the Prime Minister asking him
to strip the Associate Justice Minister of her portfolio because
they say they've been left out of the consultation about
the gun reform and Nicole McKee, the former gun lobbyist.
They don't think she's acting independently, so let's talk to her. Heinekol,

(00:23):
good afternoon. Heither have you left them out of the consultation.

Speaker 1 (00:27):
Well, we've left them out of the initial scoping, but
we have included New Zealand Police in the consultation and
I'm quite happy with their involvement seeing as they do
look to and speak for the entire police force.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yes, the Police Association being the union, will have a
different view, but we'll also speak for a lot of
the police officers, won't They.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
They will, and they will definitely have their opportunity to
participate as we go through the consultation time frames when
bills are produced and we put them out for that consultation.

Speaker 2 (00:59):
So let me just let me just understand this. So
you're doing a targeted initial consultation which they're not part
of right now, that's right.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
Yes, correct, for scoping the changes that we wish to make, and.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Then thereafter what comes next what part can they participate in.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
So at the moment, we've done some mediate changes on
clubs and ranges and there will be potentially a bill
that will go forward for further changes in that space.
When that occurs, there'll be consultation available to everybody, including
the Police Association. We are at the moment just going
out with a questionnaire on the registry as part of

(01:36):
the review, and should any changes be made there there
will be availability for consultation for everyone, including the Police Association.
So this targeted consultation that's taken place at the moment
is really just the initial consultation to get our work
under way, not consultation on legislative changes.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
Okay, So when they're able to participate, what at the
selectivity process stage they will be yes. Is that's when
you foresee them actually being able to have a say yes.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
So, I mean there may be areas that come up
once we get feedback from these initial scopes that we've done,
and once we start to make changes, there may be
a place for the Police Association then, but at this stage,
this early on, there is no need. I'm really happy
with the fulsome feedback that I've been getting from New
Zealand police.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
Okay, now what's going on here, because I mean for
them to go public and rights to the Prime Minister
like this is taking things pretty seriously. Have you had
a breakdown in a relationship between yourself and them?

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Well, I've always thought that I've had quite a strong
relationship with Chris Carhill, but I don't think that seems
to be working both ways. I've always been quite open
and friendly towards him, but you know when somebody wants
to make personal attacks against the person and actually lie
as well. I mean, he's made public comments that I
was the head of the gun lobby in twenty seventeen,

(02:52):
that he actually effectively even said that I'm responsible for
the Mosk attacks. I just think that's unnecessary, helpful, it's
not constructive. At the end of the day, this government
wants to make law reforms that keep our community safe,
keep guns in the right hands and out of the
wrong hand, and that's what I'm committed to doing. I
have decades of firearm safety background education and relevance, and

(03:17):
I think that that brings an element to this task
which is much and much needed.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
Has he cooked his goose with you?

Speaker 1 (03:26):
I think it would be unfair to say that anybody
cooks their go So, I mean, he's obviously unhappy, but
the way he's going about trying to get part of
the process is not very helpful for himself all the
people that he purports to represent. So hence, I'm quite
happy with the feedback I'm getting from New Zealand Police
as a whole. It's been constructive and it's been relevant.

Speaker 2 (03:47):
Nicole, Thank you very much, really appreciate your time. As
Nicole McKee, the Associate Justice Minister. For more from Heather
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