Sensible Move By Sensible Sentencing

Wednesday 22 Sep 2004

Stephen Franks - Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today applauded the Sensible Sentencing Trust's initiative in exploring the prospect of court action to freeze prisoners' compensation payouts.

"It's something the Government should have thought of for victims when Attorney-General Margaret Wilson learned that the Crown was facing damages payments on April 7 this year," Mr Franks said.

"It is unfair, of course, that Sensible Sentencing is having to spend its money trying to get the Labour to do justice.

"My Bill, to stop these compensation payments, has a clause which would require the Crown Law Office to do exactly what Sensible Sentencing is proposing. That is to move immediately to freeze the payouts, then start lawsuits for victims against criminals to access the payout money.

"While the Government has yet to take up the drafting I've offered, it's good that Sensible Sentencing is taking action," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

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