Tuesday, 4 May, 2004

Alexander takes new approach to law, order and justice

A Ministry of Victims' Affairs, making home security costs tax deductible and judge-only night courts to cut through the backlog of court cases are just three of the recommendations in United Future MP Marc Alexander's new book Justice With Both Eyes Open, launched at Parliament this evening.

"First, we need to give victims are far greater voice and focus in this country's whole approach to crime," he said.

"We have a shameful history of, at best, ignoring their plight and, at worst, make them victims twice over in a criminal-focused system," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman said.

Other recommendations in the book include:

* 1600 more police on the streets;
* A complete overhauling of sentencing provisions, including no early parole for violent offenders;
* No concurrent sentencing - all sentences to be consecutive;
* Specialist drug courts with treatment as well as sentencing provisions; * Bring in legislation allowing more effective confiscation of the proceeds of crime, notably from gangs and other forms of organised crime.

"It is time we got serious in the war against crime - and it is indeed a war, and the good people of New Zealand are losing at present," Mr Alexander said.

Ends.

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