Media Statement
For immediate release Wednesday, 17 March, 2004

Alexander: Crime assets move should be tougher

The Government's announcement today that it would develop a civil forfeiture regime to improve criminal asset recovery laws was proof that an "old dog can learn new tricks after all - well at least a little trick," United Future's Marc Alexander said.

"We have been on the Government's case about this one for some considerable time, and while it's a step in the right direction, it needs to go further," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman, said.

"We're delighted to see Justice Minister Phil Goff following our lead, but we still need to really deal to the criminal gangs who prey on society," Mr Alexander said.

"The Government is still dilly-dallying with a conviction-based scheme, while we have tax laws that hold law-abiding citizens to account for their income - you and I have to prove that our income is lawfully derived.

"We still need to get some real teeth into the law, and take to the gangs. They have preyed upon society for long enough and we have the 95 percent gang-controlled $1250 million a year P industry to prove it.

"The Government has to harden up and remember who it is serving - the good people of New Zealand; not those who choose to stand outside our laws and prey upon society," Mr Alexander said.

Ends.

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