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Archived Press Releases 2004 31st March 2004

Napier City Council shows leadership

(31st March 2004)

In a very courageous move the Napier City Council have voted overwhelmingly to support the aims and objectives of the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

The Trust national spokesman, Garth McVicar said that this is a very significant achievement as the Napier City Council are the first in New Zealand to have the courage to publicly support the Sensible Sentencing Trust. "We congratulate and sincerely thank the councillors who have had the courage to give some direction and show the leadership that has been sadly lacking at both local and central government level in recent years".

The Councils vote is another nail in the coffin for the 30 year politically correct experiment that has allowed New Zealand to become one of the most violent countries in the Western world.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has had considerable success in promoting policies on victim's rights, expanding the DNA database and longer sentences for repeat violent offenders.

Mr McVicar said it was very satisfying to see some recognition for the hard work that many of the Sensible Sentencing Trust members have put in over the last three years.

The Council also voted to support a resolution by Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott to write to the Minister of Justice expressing the high level of concern in the Napier community about:

1. The reduction in the non-parole period particularly for violent criminals and sex offenders brought about by the amendment to the Parole act in 2002
2. The need for increased recognition for victim's rights.
3. The need for greater resources in the areas of crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Mr McVicar it was very pleasing that "our home town of Napier" has taken the initiative that will now hopefully be taken up by other councils.

We have already had expressions of interest from other Councils asking if we would be available to address them.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.