Tony Ryall National Law and Order Spokesman

23 May 2004

Govt back down not far enough

National MP Tony Ryall says the Government's back down on lowering the age of consent does not go far enough.

"Only 24 hours ago Justice Minister Phil Goff was promoting and defending a law change which would legalise sex between 12-16-year-old children.

"But in a statement this afternoon, Mr Goff is now indicating the Government is backing away from its proposed law change.

"However, parents and grandparents will still be alarmed by Mr Goff's proposal to legalise older men having sex with 12-16-year olds, if they can prove they took reasonable steps to ascertain the age of the young person and believed them to be 16-years-old or over."

Mr Ryall says Mr Goff should ditch this dangerous proposal as well. The Government should be focused on looking after our children, not making them more vulnerable.

Ends

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