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Archived Press Releases 2009 18th February 2009

YES MINISTER – HEADS MUST ROLL

(18th February 2009)

The Auditor General's report into the failings of Parole and Corrections has exposed a cover-up of colossal magnitude and heads must roll says the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said the long awaited report pulls no punches and exposes what a complete and utter sham the Parole and Corrections systems have become.

"We don’t very often say, 'We told you so' but the Auditor General’s report confirms everything we have been saying for 8 eight years.”

"When Bell with 102 previous convictions was released on parole and murdered three people and mutilated Susan Couch we said the system was dysfunctional."

"When Burton – a previously convicted murder – was released on parole and murdered Karl Kuchenbecker we said the system was corrupt and beyond repair."

"In both cases reports were produced that exonerated the officials responsible, we said then – and we now know – those reports were a complete and utter sham – and heads must roll."

McVicar said the Sensible Sentencing Trust had written to the Secretary of Labour asking why the Department of Labour had not taken enforcement action when an offender on Parole or Bail injured or killed someone.

"The Labour Department has been prosecuting employers for work place accidents, but when an offender is released and that release results in death or injury the Labour Department does nothing. We believe they should be consistent and prosecute those responsible for an offenders release and monitoring."

"The Courts have recently stated that, "A substantial uplift in existing fines was needed to reflect the seriousness of workplace accidents."

"It appears we have one set of rules for the private sector and a totally different set of rules for heads of Government departments."

"Yes Minister – heads must roll"

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.