Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith ‘happy’ with retail crime taskforce after three members quit
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says claims his retail crime advisory group is falling apart – after three of its five members quit – are a “total beat-up”.
Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young has said she resigned from the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on retail crime because rel="" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/retail-crime-taskforce-in-turmoil-as-third-business-leader-quits-group/4NXLV5OYJNCFXJ7KZMZSWEEAQA/">her relationship with Goldsmith’s appointed chair, Sunny Kaushal, had become untenable.
She told Newstalk ZB’s Early Edition there had been a series of challenges, beginning when she voiced the concerns of Retail NZ members over new citizens’ arrest powers.
Young said at the time the new powers were “extremely dangerous” and could lead to members of the public, including retailers, being hurt or killed.
Citizens’ arrest powers were recommended by the MAG, as well as the dairy owners’ association, which Kaushal previously chaired.
Young said the dairy owners’ group had responded by putting out a press release with made-up information, “personally attacking me and my professionalism, and Sunny was unprepared to do anything ... he just laughed about it and said oh, you know, these things happen”.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking, Goldsmith acknowledged Kaushal was “full on”.
“He’s an interesting character, but he is absolutely fierce in defending the victims of crime, particularly mum and dad shop owners who have been facing violent crime for a long period of time.”
Young’s resignation leaves just Kaushal and Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar on the ministerial advisory group. Foodstuffs North Island senior manager Lindsay Rowles and Michael Hill national retail manager Michael Bell also quit late last year, but Goldsmith told Hosking the pair had been promoted at work and had other things to do.
“Yes, you’ve got one who hasn’t been happy, but I think the group has been very productive. They’ve come up with ideas about bringing back some order on to our streets. They’ve come up with ideas in relation to citizens’ arrest powers, shoplifting infringement regimes, and strengthening trespass laws.”
The group still had some ideas, including looking at audio-visual surveillance, before winding up this year.
It has previously faced criticism over its value for money, including the costs of catering and office space.
In a written response to questions from RNZ, Kaushal said the changes “reflect normal leadership movement in any organisation”.
“Members hold other senior roles and when business demands increase, or people step into new appointments, they sometimes need to step back from external commitments.
“The work of the MAG continues.”
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