Definition Of A 'Hate Crime':

Any Crime Committed Against A Labour Party Supporter

New Zealand First will strenuously oppose the sinister amendments in the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill currently before Parliament, particularly the so-called ‘hate crimes’ provisions.

“These provisions would effectively create two classes of people in the eyes of the law. That is truly sinister and is an affront to natural justice. It has parallels with laws enacted in Nazi Germany that placed the life of Germans above all others and relegated other groups to sub-human categories, or Soviet laws that protected members of the Communist Party,” said Mr Peters.

“I notice that the Government is trying to apply the hate crimes legislation to homosexuals, Maori and women—all coincidentally groups that the government has been targeting for votes in the election.

“This essentially makes one person’s life more important or more valuable than another’s. The logical conclusion of this type of thinking is that certain groups in society should have two votes, or should be able to pay less tax. That would be as constitutionally adroit as these provisions.

“New Zealand First believes that all human life is sacred and all people are created equal and have equal status before the law. There are already laws that protect vulnerable members of society, and judges already take into account the circumstances of crimes.

“New Zealand First is more interested in tackling crime and in putting offenders behind bars than in using the justice system to win votes with potential friends than with silly politically correct laws like this.

ENDS

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