5 August 2002

United Future Must Push For Changes To Labour's Soft Sentencing Law -- Mapp

"United Future's absolute bottom line in any coalition negotiations must include changes to Labour's fatally flawed new Sentencing Act," says National's Justice spokesman Wayne Mapp.

Dr Mapp says 92 per cent of New Zealanders called for tougher sentences at the 1999 election, but the last Labour-led government ignored this and delivered lighter sentences.

Dr Mapp says one of United Future's new list MPs is Marc Alexander, a key member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, which is lobbying for tougher sentences.

"It is imperative that United Future acts on the demands of New Zealanders and ensures that any coalition deal includes much needed reforms to Phil Goff's soft new sentencing law," Dr Mapp says.

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