21 March 2005

National Policy Pure Plagiarism - Peters

Rt Hon Winston Peters has described National’s policy on youth justice as very familiar and says large chunks have been taken straight off the New Zealand First website.

Mr Peters said that once again Don Brash’s speech has been borrowed from the only party really in touch with the serious issues confronting New Zealand.

“National has unashamedly plagiarised New Zealand First’s ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy and tried to redress the provision of harsher punishments for recidivist offenders.

“They have also felt the need to ride in on our coat tails by calling for the age of criminal responsibility for young offenders to be lowered. May I remind Dr Brash that Ron Mark prepared a private member’s bill three years ago for the same thing (‘Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill’ 2002).

“I am sick and tired of having to guide the National party through political waters. It’s time they came up with some ideas of their own,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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