Wednesday 12 Dec 2001

ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks is urging insurers to disassociate themselves from the Insurance Council's support for the Government's Clean Slate Bill.

"When a body representing businesses that demand "utmost good faith" from their customers, and is continually running campaigns to reduce insurance fraud, supports a Government move to conceal criminal records, it is no wonder New Zealand is experiencing a law and order break down.

"There is no question that people ought to be allowed to live down their misdemeanours after years of going straight. I would expect every reasonable insurer to regard 10-year-old minor convictions as immaterial. But that is no reason why they should support a nanny state law that says it is ok to lie and say they never happened.

"I worked with decent and concerned people from the insurance industry during my time as a lawyer. They understand how important it is to have a climate of honesty. They know that policing and punishment can never get on top of a culture that tolerates crime.

"I believe they would be appalled to think their organisation wants to connive with the Government in depriving them of the opportunity to decide whether to disregard earlier offences. I call on them to disassociate themselves from the Insurance Council's position," Stephen Franks said.

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