Two weeks ago it was very humbling to be officially sworn in as a Member of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament, representing the Pakuranga and Howick communities.
This will be my second term in Parliament representing the Pakuranga Electorate and I am privileged to have been named as the new Opposition Spokesperson for Police and the Serious Fraud Office.
I am delighted to also be able to continue in the Corrections and Youth Portfolios as well.
Law and order is an area I am very passionate about and I have been very vocal about some of the challenges New Zealand faces in this area.
The current Government over its first term demonstrated that it cares more about criminals than their victims, with policies that conflict with Kiwis’ longstanding view that if you do the crime, you do the time.
The current Government has a goal of reducing the prison population by 30 per cent over the next 15 years with no corresponding goal of reducing crime.
Increasing gun violence against our police is of particular concern.
Our police are the best in the world at what they do but they need more support and they need a Government which puts victims at the heart of our criminal justice system, not criminals.
National has always been the party of law and order and we will continue to take a hard line on crime.
I am pleased to remain as the Spokesperson for Youth – young people in New Zealand are doing it tough right now as Covid-19 has up-ended their lives and impacted things like study, new jobs, and young families.
Young Kiwis are worried about the future debt burden they will inherit as a result of the current economic crisis.
As National’s youngest MP, it is important I bring that voice to the table as we chart the way forward.
I know that my portfolio areas are very close of the hearts of many living in the Pakuranga and Howick communities.
That is why I always welcome members of the community to share your opinions and concerns with me.
You can visit my office located at 120A Pakuranga Road, or call and email us on 09 572 0000 or PakurangaMP@parliament.govt.nz.
There is no doubt that National will continue to be a hardworking Opposition, on behalf of all New Zealanders, to hold this government to account over the next three years as New Zealand rebuilds following Covid-19.
We need to ensure that no-one is left behind.
- Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
