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Archived Press Releases 2010 25th May 2010

25TH MAY GREAT DAY FOR VICTIMS

(25th May 2010)

Victims of crime are able to breathe a sigh of relief after the biggest shake-up of New Zealand's Criminal Justice System passed its final hurdle in Parliament last night.

It may have been pouring with rain in Wellington but the 25th May 2010 will be a day many victims of violent crime will never forget.

Promoted by the Sensible Sentencing Trust and supported by the National and Act parties the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill passed its third and final reading in Parliament at 5:40pm tonight.

It only remains for the Governor General to give his consent before the new legislation takes effect. That could be as soon as Monday.

Garth McVicar of the Sensible Sentencing Trust said while many New Zealanders are unaware of the significance of this legislation the Bill actually turns the current criminal friendly system totally upside down.

"While the focus seems to have been on the three-strikes aspect of the Bill this legislation gives Judges the ability to hand down true life sentences for the first time since New Zealand abolished the death penalty."

"For our worst murders the offender may never see the light of day again."

Mr McVicar said while the no parole for repeat offenders and three-strikes for recidivist violent offenders was definitely a step in the right direction he was disappointed that the legislation will not be retrospective.

"While we acknowledge this Bill is a big step forward it seems totally unfair that many more victims will be assaulted or murdered before a career criminal is removed from society."

"Crime is a choice and prison is entirely voluntary, until that philosophy is the corner stone of our criminal justice system violent crimes will continue far too frequently."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.