Clayton Cosgrove Media Statement
Member of Parliament for Waimakariri

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COSGROVE INVITES JUDGES TO HAVE A BEER AT HIS RSA AND LISTEN TO ORDINARY PEOPLE

Member of Parliament for Waimakariri, Clayton Cosgrove, said today that he was glad to see that Senior Cabinet Minister Phil Goff is sympathetic to the notion that the Legal system has to get tough with violent and recidivist offenders.

“I am glad he supports the views of the 92% of those who supported, my constituent, Norm Wither’s petition for tougher penalties. Victims rights must be taken into account.

People have had enough of politicians who don’t listen, that is the old politics and I am pleased to see that Mr Goff has thrown his weight behind this issue”, Mr Cosgrove said.

“Even before the election I have been discussing the issue of how violent and repeat offenders should be dealt with. People are outraged that offenders who commit horrific crimes of violence are given sentences which do not fit the magnitude of the crime. Everyone thinks it’s about time that judges got tough on criminals and used their sentencing powers to the fullest extent”, Mr Cosgrove said.

“All you have to do is to go out into the street and ask the people what they think to see how brassed off they are with the light sentences that are handed out to hard-core criminals.

It’s a pity some of the judges don’t have an occasional drink in a public bar or at an RSA because then they would find out how angry and dissatisfied ordinary people are about the lack of adequate sentencing and the fact that the victims of crime are forgotten”, Mr Cosgrove said.

“You’ve only got to have a beer with your mates to know that people are sick of criminals being given sentences that do not fit the crime. I want the right of victims to be recognised by judges and I want to see victims compensated by offenders and I will continue to fight for this.

I just can’t understand why reparations for victims are not more widely used by judges”, Mr Cosgrove said.

“I would like to invite the judges to come and have a drink with me at my local RSA and listen to what ordinary people are saying and I’ll invite my constituent Norm Withers as well. May be after that the judiciary will be more in touch with the concerns of ordinary people, many of whom end up being the victims of violent crime”, Mr Cosgrove said.
ENDS

For further information contact:

Clayton Cosgrove
Member of Parliament for Waimakariri
Ph: (025) 829 562 or
Residence: (03) 342 3325

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