Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Another bill to put victims of crime first

Hon Simon Power
Minister of Justice

13 October 2011

Another bill to put victims of crime first

A bill that re-directs to victims of crime all compensation paid to prisoners was introduced to Parliament today by Justice Minister Simon Power.

The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Redirecting Prisoner Compensation) Amendment Bill provides that any compensation awarded to a prisoner and not paid to the direct victims must be used to fund general services for victims of crime.

The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005 already restricts the circumstances in which courts can award compensation to prisoners for breaches of their human rights. If compensation is awarded, victims of the prisoner can seek redress for the harm they have suffered. The amendment bill makes that regime permanent. Victims will still be able to access the simplified claims process.

The bill further provides that from 1 July next year any money remaining after the victims’ claims are addressed be re-directed into the Victims Services Crown Bank Account – the same account into which money generated by the $50 Offender Levy goes.

The levy is used to fund 13 services and entitlements for victims of crime.

“The re-directed money will help the Government provide even more services for victims in future years,” Mr Power said.

Existing victims’ services and entitlements include:

• Support for families of homicide victims, such as assistance from the Homicide Support Service (providing practical and emotional support throughout the criminal justice process), daily court attendance grants, and funeral cost assistance.
• Support for families of victims killed as a result of a criminal act (eg dangerous driving causing death), such as a discretionary grants, and trauma counselling.
• Support for victims of sexual violence, such as one-off discretionary grants, and assistance by the Sexual Violence Court Support Service (which gives access to a trained and experienced victim adviser during the criminal court process).
• Support for victims of serious crime, such as assistance with court and parole hearing-related expenses.

A copy of the bill can be viewed here.

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.