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Archived Press Releases 2004 28th November 2004

Sensible Sentencing “Law and Order” hotline

(28th November 2004)

The Hawke’s Bay based criminal justice watchdog organization has established a “Law and Order” telephone opinion poll to test the public’s opinion on various controversial and topical justice issues.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust decided to establish the telephone polling system in response to the enormous public outrage expressed after the recent High Court decision to award compensation to some of New Zealand’s worst criminals.

The Trust's national spokesman said “the public frustration on this issue has been incredible, our phones have been running hot. It appeared the public needed somewhere to register their anger so we decided to set this telephone Hotline up to give people that opportunity”.

Mr McVicar said, “The Sensible Sentencing Trust has gained considerable public support since our inception three years ago. The “Hotline” idea is just another vehicle for the public to have a direct vote on issues that ultimately affect us all”.

The 0900 566 66 number will begin operating on November 29th on the Radio Pacific and Solid Gold stations, and will simply ask people to vote “yes” if they agree criminals should receive compensation and “no” if they disagree.

The results will be sent to the Minister of Justice and also posted on the Trust’s web site, www.safenz.org.nz.

“The first issue we have chosen to take a poll on is the “Compo to Crims” due to the high level of public interest.

“We have timed the beginning of this service to coincide with a Television New Zealand documentary to screen on Sunday the 28th November showing the impact the compensation award has had on families of the original victims of these criminals.

“For these criminals to now claim their human rights have been breached is an insult to the average New Zealander” Mr McVicar said. The Sensible Sentencing Trust believes the recent Court awarded compensation to criminals has made an absolute mockery of the Human Rights movement.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.