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Media Articles We Reap what we Sow

We Reap what we Sow

This was first published in the Hawkes Bay Courier on 25th September 2003

I began writing this article the day that Coral Burrows body was found. Other disturbing headlines in our paper the same week; "New Zealand is now leading the world in child abuse; a 15 year old boy that raped a 13 year old girl escapes jail because of his age; Bailey Kurariki can apply for home detention after serving only 1 year of a seven-year sentence!"

In the 1999 general election 92% of voters supported a reform of the justice system and harsher penalties for violent offenders, we were ignored and as a Nation we are now paying the price.

All very well for politicians to wring their hands now with patronising vote catching agony, the simple facts of the matter are, if the 92% had been listened to the likes of Steven Williams with 90 previous convictions would not have been on the streets.

Past and present government "Soft Option" policies have encouraged the break down of the family unit, and increased poverty, unemployment and drug and alcohol abuse. These policies have created the perfect breeding ground for what we are now experiencing, individuals whose horrendously violent crimes simply reflect the lives they live.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust believes that the ultimate responsibility for any child lies with the two people that created that child, and before anyone ducks for cover it might be a good idea for us all to have a look in the mirror. There can be no substitute for a mother and a father.

As the Sensible Sentencing Trust once again prepares submissions to parliament, this time on the "Sex Offenders Bill" I wonder why we bother to battle the pathetic bureaucrats that continue to drive legislation that makes individual accountability and responsibility a dirty concept.

Sitting up the back of the farm on a spring morning it would be easy to say to hell with it all, but I love this Country, my wife and I have four children living here, we have just been presented with two beautiful granddaughters, what better reason to continue fighting to make New Zealand a better place to live.