Thursday, 3 February 2005

Alexander: Red-faced Govt jumps child porn bill up queue

A mere 24 hours after United Future's Marc Alexander blasted the Government for putting same sex marriages and smoking bans higher on its legislative agenda than putting child pornographers in jail, the Bill concerned has suddenly appeared on the Government's order of business for next week.

"I'm just delighted to see the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Amendment Bill mysteriously bumped up the order paper today.

"I don't care how it got there, but if it's even a tacit acknowledgement from the Government that people want real law and not social engineering given priority, then we have a victory for the common man and woman," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman, said.

"However, it shouldn't have to take me jumping up and down to get the Government's priorities straight.

"It's all very well for Phil Goff to blame other parties, but he and the Labour caucus have had the Bill sitting around since last August. They had support from United Future, so not bringing it back to the House was there decision and their decision alone, and that speaks volumes for their priorities.

"Children everywhere deserve better treatment than this. Parents want laws that protect children and punish predators severely. The Government must listen and do its job," Mr Alexander said.

ENDS

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