Government won't progress remaining 8 recommendations of Christchurch terror attack commission

The government won't be progressing the final eight recommendations of the Royal Commission into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques.

51 people were killed in the shootings at two mosques on 15 March, 2019.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques released its report in December 2020. The then Labour government promised to implement all of its 44 recommendations.

In February, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Collins, the lead coordination minister for the government's response, was going through the recommendations with an aim to "to bring resolution".

On Friday, Collins announced the government response "has concluded".

Of the 44 recommendations, 36 had been implemented or were "being integrated into ongoing work programmes ... while the remaining eight will not be progressing," she said.

"March 15 2019 was one of the darkest days in New Zealand's history, and one we will never forget.

"Now, five years since that terrible day and in light of that ongoing work, it is the right time to conclude the coordinated response. However, that does not mean the work stops," Collins said.

Government agencies, particular those in national security, had made significant changes in the past five years, she said.

"Our commitment remains the same: to ensure a safe and secure country for all our communities."

Collins said changes resulting from the recommendations included the creation of the first National Security Strategy and publication of the first New Zealand Security Threat Environment Report, establishment of the Firearms Safety Authority and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and a public awareness campaign for identifying signs of violent extremism.

Going forward Minister and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey would be the government contact for the March 15-affected communities.

An annual anniversary broadcast of the Adhan (call to prayer) would continue and the Government was considering appropriate memorial to honour the shuhada (martyrs).

In a statement, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said disappointing was "not enough of a word" to express the feeling after the news the government would not be progressing those recommendations.

"The government has a responsibility to do right by the affected community and families. Taking the steps to ensure something like March 15 never happens again requires leadership, something the government is shirking," he said.

"Calling it quits before implementing all the recommendations while hinting at liberalisation of the law around semi-automatics is out of touch. Taking investment from work being done on reporting threat channels and no money for counter terrorism advisory group are terrible cuts."

A list of the recommendations being progressed was provided via the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The ones not being worked on include:

• 2. Establish a new national intelligence and security agency. Response: A separate agency will not be established, with the head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) designated as National Security Advisor. DPMC has made organisational changes to separate the department's national security functions from its risk, governance, and crisis management functions. There are already a set of performance monitoring, oversight, and reporting mechanisms in place for national security agencies.
• 7. Establish an Advisory Group on counter-terrorism via legislation. Response: An advisory group will not be established. In the time since the Royal Commission reported, mechanisms for hearing and incorporating community, civil society, local government, and private sector advice into counter-terrorism activities have significantly increased and improved.
• 8 Include a summary of advice from the Advisory Group from the previous year, and the actions taken, in the annual National Security Intelligence Priorities threatscape report. Response: With no advisory group set up, the advice will not be included. Civil society views will be incorporated into advice on National Security Intelligence Priorities or threatscape reporting through existing channels.
• 12. Develop and promote a system allowing the public to easily and safely report concerning behaviours or incidents. Response: A separate system to report concerning behaviours and incidents will not be established. Existing threat reporting channels are sufficient, and investment will be reprioritised.
• 24. Introduce mandatory reporting of firearms injuries to police by health professionals. Response: Mandatory reporting will not be pursued. As of 2020, Health practitioners are required to report firearms injuries if they believe a licence holder should not be permitted to use or own firearms due to a health condition.
• 27. Direct DPMC and other relevant agencies to discuss with whānau, survivors and witnesses of the March 15 attack what restorative justice processes might be desired and how these might be designed and resourced. Response: The Government has adopted a restorative approach regarding the affected community. This has been through the establishment of wraparound coordinated support to the affected community, and opportunities for the affected community to have their voices heard throughout the delivery of services and the

Government's response to the Royal Commission Report.

• 40. Repeal section 131 of the Human Rights Act 1993 and insert a provision in the Crimes Act 1961 for an offence of inciting racial or religious disharmony, based on an intent to stir up, maintain or normalise hatred, through threatening, abusive, or insulting communications with protected characteristics that include religious affiliation. Response: The Government has committed not to change hate speech legislation under the coalition agreement between the National Party and New Zealand First.
• 41. Amend the definition of "objectionable" in section 3 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 to include racial superiority, racial hatred and racial discrimination. Response: Work on hate speech (recommendation 40) has stopped and these two recommendations were intended to be a package. If Recommendation 41 were to be progressed in isolation, it would raise the risk of duplication and inconsistency of offences between section 131 of the Human Rights Act and the Classification Act.