Terror: Dedicated minister sought

Islamic groups and March 15 mosque attack survivors want the Government to appoint a dedicated minister to oversee the response to the royal commission report into the shootings.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry’s 792-page report is expected to be released on Tuesday.

The inquiry, chaired by Sir William Young, has been investigating terrorist Brenton Tarrant’s activities before the attacks, including his travel in New Zealand and around the world, how he obtained firearms, his use of social media, and what relevant state sector agencies knew about him before the attacks.

It also looked at what actions state agencies took, and whether some of them, such as intelligence agencies, were too busy looking at Islamic fundamentalism at the expense of the threat of white nationalism.

It’s expected that the report — which took into account about 400 interviews, including one with Tarrant who was jailed for life without parole in August — will include many recommendations aimed at avoiding future similar tragedies.

Islamic groups, along with victims and survivors of the attacks, want a dedicated government minister appointed to ensure the recommendations are properly dealt with — similar to the role Andrew Little plays as Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry.

The Islamic Women’s Council national coordinator Anjum Rahman said: “It’s important that someone has the specific responsibility in Cabinet to ensure the Royal Commission’s recommendations are implemented.” It’s understood that a Muslim Community Reference Group will be established to work with the Government on its response.

Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times at Masjid Al Noor on March 15, 2019, also supports a single Government point of contact.

“I remember the Pike River tragedy happening a long time ago but it’s still not resolved and I hope we don’t have the same problem as those victims,” he said.

A review of hate speech was launched after March 15 and although changes ultimately failed, Labour pledged before pre-election that it would clamp down on hate speech.

The Federation of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ)’s detailed submission to the inquiry says the gunman’s “highly unusual travel history” should have acted as a red flag to authorities.

FIANZ also raised major concerns that police granted the killer a firearms licence in September 2017, just after he arrived in New Zealand.

They struggle to see how he could have been found him a fit and proper person to hold a licence and breached its own vetting procedures..

Evidence given by ministers and public sector bosses to the inquiry will be suppressed for 30 years.

The interview with Tarrant will never be released to prevent inspiring and assisting further attacks.