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Archived Press Releases 2009 12th February 2009

CIVIL LIBERTIES SCARE MONGERING

(12th February 2009)

"If some thug steals or trashes our property, rapes or maims – or worse still murders someone – they should have the book thrown at them."

"I don’t give a toss if getting tough on criminals and crime upsets civil libertarians."

That is the fighting talk coming from the Sensible Sentencing Trust who say Civil Liberties criticism of proposed legislation to give greater police powers to crack down on crime is simply theatrical scare mongering.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust are backing government Bills to bust gangs, and give greater police powers to take DNA, they are also supporting a proposal to compensate victims of serious crime by a levy on fines and crimes.

The Bills which are currently before Parliament have met with criticism from civil liberty organizations as well as opposition parties.

But the National Spokesman for the SST, Garth McVicar, said "They seem to conveniently forget that these laws will only affect those who break the law, slogans such as ‘Breach of Human rights, Police State or invasion of privacy,’ are designed to cause panic and alarm."

McVicar said even a casual observer would see that the only criticism was coming from vested interest organizations who have overseen and promoted legislation that has allowed violent crime to skyrocket.

"Scare-mongering tactics have been used to push their failed social agendas and they have trouble accepting the mood change that is now sweeping the country."

"This is a deadly game of charades they have been playing but the victims are real and cost the country has been horrific."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.