Butt Out, Helen

Heather Roy MP
Tuesday, June 17 2008

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and National Security Spokesman Heather Roy today instructed Prime Minister Helen Clark to butt out of law-abiding New Zealanders' lives and do something constructive for a change.

"Miss Clark knows that tightening liquor laws and capping liquor licences won't stem the rising tide of violent crime - this is just a cynical and transparent attempt to make it look as though Labour cares about public safety," Mrs Roy said.

"If the Prime Minister were genuine about dealing with this problem, she would be demanding that the laws we already have are enforced - and looking at the contributing factors of education and welfare.

"Instead she is pushing for regulations that, while having a minimal effect on criminals, will penalise those New Zealanders who already obey the law - in the same vein as dog micro-chipping and the Anti-Smacking legislation.

"Offenders commit violent crimes, so Labour will punish innocent New Zealanders - where is the sense and justice in that?

"Labour is trying to push through knee-jerk regulations to give the appearance of action in an election year - plain and simple. It's time this Government stopped grandstanding, butted out of people's lives and tackled the real issues facing New Zealand: entrenched welfare dependency, poor educational outcomes and woeful law enforcement," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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