Media Release

09 September 2003

Soft Justice From Soft Government

New Zealand First has accused the Government of creating a justice and corrections system that appears to tolerate killing and drug abuse.

Ron Mark asked the Prime Minister in the House today how she could she have confidence in her Ministers of Justice and Corrections when the system kept convicted drug abuser Darren McDonald out of gaol because his ‘ high profile’ may make him the target for drug dealers in prisons.

As well as this convicted killer, Bailey Junior Kurariki, who took part in a brutal, cold blooded killing in 2001, has been allowed to apply for home detention five months before his parole date.

“This is ridiculous. New Zealand has been taken over by politically correct soft Labour politicians who are totally out of touch with ordinary kiwis,” said Mr Mark.

“Home detention was meant for people found guilty of minor crimes, not killers and class A drug abusers.

“New Zealanders have said they want tougher sentences yet the Government seems to be mocking the public by allowing the judicial system to hand down paltry, token-gesture type sentences.

“It is time for the Government to admit that home detention is a joke and must go.

“Stop pandering to politically correct liberals – if you do the crime, you do the time, it is quite simple” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

© Scoop Media