17 July 2002

English Supports Victims Of Crime

While Helen Clark clearly could not be bothered attending today's Law and Order march in Wellington the least she can do is let people know how she voted in the 1999 referendum on tougher sentencing, says National Party Leader Bill English.

"I want to know if she was part of the 92 per cent of New Zealanders who voted for tougher sentences. If she didn't vote for the referendum then she should come clean and this explains why Labour gone soft on crime, letting criminals out after having served only a third of their parole.

"I also believe it was an insult for Justice Minister Phil Goff just to wander down from his ministerial office to speak to the crowd and not participate in the march to Parliament. If it was good enough for everyone else to brave the rain and cold to march then what would it have taken for him to make the same effort.

"Just in the last few days we have had three gang members walk free from a murder charge after a witness was clearly got at, a convicted rapist released into the community yet again without anyone being informed.I can understand why the public are getting fed up and why they feel no-one is listening.

"I am listening and so is National and that is why as soon as I become Prime Minister I will show leadership on law and order and make sure life means life for the worst criminals.

"Today's rally was a strong voice for action on crime and they need to be heard on Election Day," says Mr English.

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