Law And Order: Key – “Kiwis Have A Right To Feel Safer”
September 2nd, 2010
John Key says law and order policy is a crucial part of his overall vision for NZ, “because I believe Kiwis have a right to feel safer.” Addressing the Sensible Sentencing Trust Conference this week, he cited what he sees as the Govt’s achievements – it has strengthened bail laws, reversing Labour’s “dangerous mistake,” toughened sentences for crimes against children, given the Police the power to collect DNA from people they intend to charge with particular offences, closed loopholes for child sex offenders, and given police stronger powers to seize the profits of organised crime (estimated worth of restrained property so far under that move is more than $20m). The Police now have the power to issue on-the-spot safety orders for victims of domestic violence (from July 1 to August 8, 355 of these orders had been issued). For victims of crime, a $50 levy at sentencing for convicted offenders could generate $13.6m in its first 4 years.
Justice Minister Simon Power told the conference he plans to amend the Victims Rights Act, taking into account submissions on concerns such as the censorship of victim impact statements, victim-prosecutor communication, and the victim notification system. He wants also to introduce some elements of an inquisitorial system to limit exposure by child victims and witnesses to the courts. Power says accusations by some in the legal profession he has made “knee-jerk” reforms, particularly around the decision to abolish the partial defence of provocation, have only strengthened his resolve to make more changes. The Law Commission had twice advocated removing provocation from the statute book, so it was hardly a knee-jerk action. Power reports good progress is being made on addressing the drivers of crime, which are being treated as a “whole-of-Govt-priority.”
Copyright © Trans Tasman Media Ltd
Duncan Cotterill