Feb 16, 2000

Nandor Tanczos meets Phil Goff

Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos has had his first meeting with Justice Minister Phil Goff to discuss priorities of the new Government.

"I particularly wanted to raise my proposals for a public prosecutor's office taking over some police powers, restorative justice with more rights for victims, cannabis law reform, plus the need to wipe old criminal records for minor offences," Mr Tanczos said today.

"We covered all these points, and I'm pleased with Mr Goff's commitment to look at measures which will genuinely reduce crime, rather than playing politics with it as was the case under the last Government."

Mr Tanczos said that because of the Government's large programme this year it was probable he would draft his own legislation to give people a "clean slate" if they had old records of minor offences.

"My other short-term goal is to ensure innovative restorative justice initiatives are given enough funding to be able to prove their worth," he said. "Mr Goff has indicated his support for funding a number of pilot projects and I look forward to that happening in this parliamentary term. "I am glad to have started my parliamentary relationship with Mr Goff on such a positive note."

Nandor Tanczos MP 4706716, 025 2465235 Paul Bensemann, Press Secretary 4706679, 021 2142665

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