Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A retail crime advisory group - being wrapped up early by the government - has been successful and provided great ideas, the Justice Minister says.
Paul Goldsmith confirmed on Tuesday the group will wind down four months early, after three of its five members walked away.
On Wednesday, Goldsmith told Morning Report the group was created to provide ideas for the government to push back on crime and considered it a successful enterprise as it had done what it intended to do.
"Three out of the five left for a variety of reasons over the summer, and I sort of had a choice about trying to reappoint three and keep it going for six months or make the pragmatic decision to wrap it up slightly early."
The group had three months to finish its current work, Goldsmith said.
"The whole purpose of the exercise was to provide us with oven-ready ideas to push back against the tide of retail crime that we faced when we came in and they have come us with some very good ideas."
He said the $8.1 million per year paid to the group was paid for by the "crooks" out of the proceeds of crime fund. Wrapping it up early would save a little bit of money but that "was not the primary focus".
"It got things done faster."
Sunny Kaushal, centre. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
He had earlier dismissed criticism of chairman Sunny Kaushal's behaviour, saying he was a fierce defender of victims.
Kaushal said his priority was to deliver reform for victims of retail crime, and not to have an "endless talking group".
"I'm very relaxed about the ministerial advisory group winding up in May," he said.
"I made sure the MAG delivered our advisory work quickly, so that victims could see legislation in the House before we wrapped up.
"I thought this more important than pursuing endless 'frameworks' that other MAG members would have prioritised."
Goldsmith told Morning Report he disagreed with Retail New Zealand Chief executive Carolyn Young's characterisation of Kaushal but his primary focus had been on outcomes.
Goldsmith said Kaushal was "not everyone's cup of tea" but he was pleased with the work the group had delivered.
Labour this week said the group was a stunt from day one, and all it came up with was ideas previously dismissed as ineffective or unsafe.
Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the group recycled the bad plans, instead of listening to retailers, victims, and police, and that its wind-down is embarrassing for the government.
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