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PM's Press Conference: Prisons, Folate and Sir Ed
Scoop Audio PM's Press Conference: Prisons, Folate and Sir Ed - Monday 20 July 2009
By Spike Mountjoy
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- Scoop Audio:
Today Scoop asked the PM for his thoughts on Dame Sian Elias’ speech about New Zealand’s mushrooming prison population.
Key continued to focus on whether it was appropriate for the Chief Justice to comment on these matters, something he says is better left to his Minister of Justice, Simon Power.
The chief Justice’s speech called for a fresh look at corrections and justice policies, including floating the idea of an amnesty to ease prison numbers.
The number of new beds needed to house the growing prison population is set to nearly double on the back of the National Government’s policies.
The Government plans to expand the use of double bunking, build at least one new prison, and use shipping containers to house the extra prisoners.
Key said his government is looking at the drivers of crime in an attempt to reduce the growing prison muster.
He also sees expanded use of home detention as a way of keeping numbers down “at a fraction of the cost. (the Government could) maybe use some of that cost towards rehabilitation and to have potentially a more effective outcome - in that regard I think she (Elias) has a point”.
On other issues Key claimed credit for the reconciliation between the Auckland Museum and Sir Edmund Hillary’s kids Peter and Sarah. Peter Hillary was threatening to take the museum to court because of a dispute over Sir Ed’s will regarding access to his papers etc.
Key says Labour’s benefit proposal’s are too expensive, and could potentially turn every New Zealander into a beneficiary. The proposals include dropping the income test for people with a partner in work. Key says this would cost around $1b over three years.
A decision on the inclusion of folic acid in bread has been deferred. Key said he was going ahead with public consultation because the government is legally obliged.
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