ACT wants tougher penalties for child pornographers

Tuesday 8 Feb 2005

Deborah Coddington Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT Associate Justice spokesman Deborah Coddington today said she would be moving an amendment to the Film, Videos and Publications Classification Amendment Bill to toughen penalties for child pornographers.

"I propose to try and increase the maximum prison term for possession of child pornography from a maximum of two years to five to bring our legislation in line with Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom," Miss Coddington said.

"At present, possession of child pornography is not an imprisonable offence. It's important to remember that behind every item of pornography is a child victim".

The MP says ACT will support the bill through its second reading in Parliament this week, but is concerned that it doesn't go far enough.

"The recent humiliation of New Zealand by Time magazine shows that this country is now being held up as a `haven for paedophiles'.

"The Labour Government is soft-on-crime, and I hope National, NZ First and United Future all support ACT's move to toughen up on criminals who prey on young children," Miss Coddington said.

ENDS

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