escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2003 July 15th

Prime Minister invited to meet victim's families

(15th July 2003)

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said the families of some of the victims of the country's most horrific murders approached the Trust asking for support to organise a delegation to meet Parliament and the Prime Minister.

Mr McVicar said a representative from all political parties in Parliament has agreed to co-host the delegation. All MP's have been invited to a presentation at 12:30, Tuesday 22nd July. The Media have been invited to attend and a press conference will be held immediately afterwards.

The photos of a little girl who had been viciously attacked by a mongrel dog shocked and horrified the Prime Minister, who showed great concern. Will she meet and show the same concern to family members who have lost loved ones through horrific murders?

The Prime Minister's leadership skills came to the fore when Government urgently toughened dog control laws as demanded by the Anderson family, and we would like her to extend the same urgency to toughen violent crime laws as demanded by all New Zealand families in the 1999 Law and Order Referendum.

These victims have shown great courage appearing at Parliament and we only hope the Prime Minister shows the same courage by meeting them Mr McVicar said.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.