Insurance Council Supports Bail Bill

Any costs associated with the Bail Bill passed by Government last night will be more than off-set by a reduction in costs to New Zealanders, says the Insurance Council.

The Insurance Council estimate benefits to New Zealanders will be far greater than the cost of the Bill. Insurance Council estimates that crime costs New Zealanders as much as $300 million in insurance claims a year. That does not take into account the human anguish and suffering of victims of crime.

The estimated additional cost of putting more pressure on repeat offenders and criminals has been put at $30 million.

"This is not a lot of money when the benefits of reducing crime are put into perspective. It is an important investment in our community and the benefits will vastly outweigh the cost," said Chris Ryan Chief Executive of the Insurance Council.

Each year New Zealanders make claims of over $1 billion dollars for losses under insurance policies. The costs of domestic and motor losses are $258 million and $456 million respectively. While not all of these losses are the result of burglary and theft, many of them are.

Many of these losses are the work of a very small group of offenders who are repeatedly stealing and terrorising people in their own homes.

The Bail Bill will go a long way to addressing this enormously dangerous group of criminals whose profile includes not only repeat offences for burglary, but also violence and breaching bail.

Anyone who cannot see the investment being made by the Government in the Bail Bill should look at the cost of crime and the patterns of repeat offenders more closely.

"The Insurance Council is a strong supporter of the Governments law and order policies promoted by both Mr Goff and Mr Hawkins. They are moving toward creating a safer society and a stronger more effective police force in New Zealand. The Bail Bill is another step toward achieving this," said Chris Ryan.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Christopher Ryan, Chief Executive
Tel (04) 472 5230; Mobile, (025) 441 767

© Scoop Media