Media Release
04 February 2004

Keep The Public Safe Says Mark

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has asked the Government how many victims it intends to create with its soft approach to parole and failing mental health system.

Anthony Roma, a paranoid schizophrenic who brutally murdered a seven-year-old boy in 1991, has been charged with indecent assault six months after being released on parole.

“New Zealanders can see how indifferent the Government is to the safety and well being of law abiding citizens. The release of dangerous criminals who are supposed to be rehabilitated is costing the country lives,” said Mr Mark.

“There are too many examples that indicate that parole is past its used by date. Too often the Government has ignored the pleas of victims and dangerous criminals have been released back into the community. When is the Government going to admit that the parole system has failed the people of New Zealand?

“Ordinary New Zealanders are paying the price for the failings of the Parole Board. The public has the right to feel safe and be protected from dangerous criminals.

“This Government needs to be held accountable for the way in which it favours the rights of dangerous individuals and shows little concern for the rights of victims. The next election is the time when voters will address the flaws in the system,” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>