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Leader's LetterJune 2003
Crime Culture Must Be CurbedFor the past three months in Parliament New Zealand First has highlighted the failures of the current corrections and justice systems on numerous occasions. These failures have largely gone unnoticed by the Government. These are issues that affect each and every one of us. All New Zealanders want to live in a country where they are safe in the knowledge that police are staffed and resourced at a level that enables them to fight crime. There is also no doubt that New Zealanders want a justice system that punishers offenders who have broken the law. Unfortunately it seems that the Government cannot provide these essential elements for living in a safe community. To begin with, we have a Minister of Police whose priority is to use police officers to dole out traffic infringement tickets for extra revenue. We are all for improving road safety but police officers appear to be set a priority of patrolling roads to meet hourly targets while serious crime is escalating at a frightening rate. The Minister also fails to accept the increasing threat from immigrant crime which has followed the Government’s open door immigration policy. Extortion, kidnappings and unlicenced drivers are just some of the manifestations of this new crime wave hitting our shores and penetrating our communities. The Police are not equipped to deal with the culture specific elements associated with such crime; the most obvious being the language barrier. Recently the Minister of Justice had to concede to us that he and his staff were not aware that murderers and rapists are being allowed to serve part of their sentence under conditions of home detention. This is a justice system that allows for violent criminals to be granted deferred sentences. The Government cannot claim that the justice system acts as a strong deterrent to potential offenders and a harsh reminder to convicted criminals not to re-offend. Figures that I recently made public concerning the number and value of overdue traffic infringement fines show just what a soft touch the Government has become when it comes to enforcing the law. So what does New Zealand First propose to do to correct these failures? Firstly, we advocate a re-juggling of police priorities. Tackling violent crime must come top of the list. New Zealand First has recently adopted a policy of doubling police numbers but until police get the extra resources they need, the thin blue line must be put to the most efficient use possible. Secondly, the danger posed by immigrant crime must be recognised as a very real threat to the communities which attract immigrants in the first instance, and to the very immigrants themselves. Resources must be deployed to combat it. More specifically, background criminal checks need to be carried out on those seeking to reside here, overstayers should be deported and the immigration door shut until such measures are put in place. Thirdly, the Sentencing Act, in its entirety, must be reviewed and amended to become a coherent piece of legislation that will provide for fair sentencing. Too often the current law makes the offenders look like the winners and the victims the losers. We want to see a Sentencing Act which serves its purpose in New Zealand laws as a deterrent and rehabilitator. Offenders need to be taught a lesson that they should not re-offend. Other forms of punishment must similarly be enforced. Courts must ensure that offenders are made to pay their dues whether that is by serving a prison sentence or paying fines. Only when these changes are made will New Zealanders start to feel safe in the knowledge that enough is being done to maintain law and order and protect their well-being. Ron Mark MP
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