2 February 2009
Media Statement

Cosgrove says Labour will work with National to toughen boy racer laws still further

Labour law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove says he is disappointed that judges haven’t taken up the opportunity the existing law has given them to confiscate the vehicles of offenders permanently.

“There is no simple solution to dealing with people who are acting like thugs, but maybe we need to change the law to send the signal to judges more clearly.”

Clayton Cosgrove said the past weekend had been certainly worse than usual in Christchurch, with a police officer attacked as a mob of boy racers rioted, but every weekend boy racers terrorised New Zealand cities and towns.

Clayton Cosgrove said he agreed with Police Minister Judith Collins that there is little point fining people who cannot pay the fines. “That’s why I originally promoted the legislation allowing boy racers’ cars to be confiscated for a number of offences including careless use of a motor vehicle involving injury or death, reckless or dangerous driving and alcohol- or drug-affected driving.

“I believe the legislation is tough and works now. The powers judges have now and the legislation on the books is tougher than anything in Australia, but it can always be made tougher. I am very happy to talk to Judith Collins about how we can work together to toughen it still further. If judges confiscate more cars, then the drivers can’t do any more damage to anyone, and the message will quickly start to get through to other boy racers,” he said.

“While it sounds tough for Judith Collins to talk about crushing vehicles, the practical objection to that course is that often the only way the poor taxpayer can get any money back from these people to recover court costs is by confiscating their only asset. Once you crush the car, it’s gone for ever.”

Clayton Cosgrove said Judith Collins’ admission that fines don’t work makes him wonder why National is committing to a new $50 tax on criminals. “Treasury’s Incoming Brief to the Finance Minister was particularly lukewarm on this idea.”

“But I agree that we do have to find new ways that work to deal with these people. So-called ‘cease and desist’ orders only defer the solution. Permanent confiscation offers the most immediate practical solution. Let’s work out how we can toughen the law to make this solution work for our communities.”

ENDS

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