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Asenati Lole-Taylor MP

Spokesperson for Social Policy

19 August 2013  

Legislation Attempts to Protect Children

If the Government is serious about protecting children from harm, it would do well to fast track the Sentencing (Protection of Children from Criminal Offending) Amendment Bill which is currently awaiting its first reading in Parliament says New Zealand First.

The Bill would see tougher sentences imposed on criminals who commit crimes while children under the age of 17 are present.

Spokesperson for social policy, Asenati Lole-Taylor says the Government’s proposals to target suspected child abusers warrants further evaluation but fast tracking her Bill would be a first step.

“All New Zealanders know that as a country we need to be doing more to protect vulnerable children.

“My Bill would go some way towards doing that, and would mean that irresponsible adults who commit crimes while children are present would have that taken into account during their sentencing”, says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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