Clean Slate Promotes Dishonesty
Bin it!

27/06/2014

An OIA released by the NZ Herald today reveals that more than 115,000 offenders in NZ have had their convictions hidden thanks to the absurd Clean Slate Act.

“We teach our children to be honest and yet we allow criminals to hide behind ridiculous Acts like this”, states Ruth Money Sensible Sentencing Spokesperson. “The Clean Slate Act promotes, and in fact enables dishonesty and should be binned immediately”.

The information released by the report shows that one offender has had their 232 convictions hidden, while others have had convictions for fraud, bestiality, indecent assault, assault on a child with a weapon and drink-driving causing death essentially wiped from their record.

“It is completely outrageous that offenders can choose to offend in this way and then be able to hide these convictions from future employees, life partners and in fact themselves”, says Money. “The system is dishonest and is not at all aligned with the principles of open justice”.

“Pathways Trust Reintegration Manager Carey Ewing speaks of these convictions as being mistakes of the past – we would hardly call bestiality, indecent assault and assault on a child a mistake!” says Money who says to refer to them in this way just shows how out of touch with public opinion this Act is.

“The public has a right to know who they are employing, renting their house to, and who is coaching their kids for example. The Clean Slate Act is completely dishonest and should be binned immediately” exerts Money.

“The Government should have all criminal records online for the PUBLIC to be able to access and educate themselves regarding risk. The SST have been calling for this for years and will continue to do so”, says Money.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11282558

ENDS

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