Media Release

10 December 2001

Murder Is Becoming Far Too Commonplace-Peters

“New Zealand First is deeply concerned at the increase and intensity of violence giving rise to the number of murders which are presently appearing in our newspapers,” said New Zealand First Leader and Member for Tauranga, Rt Hon Winston Peters today.

“ Clearly the time has come for Government to address this problem within our society. This weekend’s horrific murders, have prompted me to urge the Government to accept that no amount of politically correct tut tutting, hand wringing or pious statements about the rights of murderers, thugs, bullies, or rapists, to express themselves, does any good for anybody. Nor do we believe that we must be more understanding of their troubled upbringing or because they used to wet their beds when they were children,” Mr Peters said.

“It is time that the overwhelming mandate of the people of New Zealand, given during the 1999 referendum on the treatment of offenders, was given effect. In 1999, 92% of the population gave a very clear signal to Government that enough was enough and they wished to see the Courts and the penal system get tough on violent offenders,” he said.

“We can’t turn our backs on these events which take place in our communities and stand by and watch passively, whilst the rights of decent New Zealanders to go about their lawful business unmolested without fear for their personal safety and well-being, becomes eroded any further. It is time to act, and time to act decisively now, said Mr Peters.

The perception amongst the public at present, in spite of the protestations of the Ministers of Police and Justice to the contrary, is that violent crime is out of control and the judiciary are not imposing sentences reflective of the community’s abhorrence of such offending,” Mr Peters claimed.

“In spite of the Government’s recent moves to firm up on sentencing, the catch cry of a lifelong sentence for the taking of a life by deliberate and violent means, is gathering strong support if the editorials, talkbacks and mail to politicians is anything to go by,” Mr Peters concluded.

ENDS

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