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Archived Press Releases 2010 28th May 2010

PUFFED UP ‘EXPERTS’ OUT OF TOUCH WITH NZ, SAYS ADVOCACY GROUP

(28th May 2010)

An advocacy group for victims of violent crime says criticism of the recently enacted three strikes legislation shows how far removed from reality the “puffed up so-called legal experts” are.

Garth McVicar from The Sensible Sentencing Trust says anti-prison and punishment groups including the Rethinking Crime and Punishment organization cared only for the rights of criminals and bullishly ignored the groundswell of public feeling which saw the three strikes bill passed this week.

"Kim Workman and his ilk will stubbornly defend their views and continue to push for a society that lets violent criminals walk free in our neighbourhoods. They ignore what most New Zealanders want, which is to feel safe in their homes and communities like they used to."

“They say the three strikes policy has no supporting evidence but we see the evidence of a country left in their touchy-feely stewardship every day as criminals walk free with no consequences for their actions.”

Mr McVicar said the new legislation would only impact those who continually flouted the law.

“As the justice minister herself says, crime is a choice and prison is voluntary. Three Strikes will only affect those who ignore the law and violently harm others New Zealanders.”

Canterbury Community Law manager Paul O’Neil’s ongoing public opposition of tougher sentencing went against the feelings of most in the community he was paid to represent and jeopardized his organisation’s responsibility to provide impartial legal advice, Mr McVicar said.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.