May 2006

Conference Urges a Multi-Party Accord on Criminal Justice Reform

The representatives of the five political parties who took part in a panel discussion on the possibility of a multi-party accord, were urged by the 280 participants at a Law and Order Conference to continue the discussion.

Those taking part in the discussion were the Minister of Corrections, Hon Damien O’Connor, Hon Peter Dunne (United Future), Dr Pita Sharples (Maori Party) Simon Power, (National) and Nandor Tanczos. The debate was chaired by Pro Jonathon Boston, of the Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University.

It was clear that there had already been cross-party discussions on the issue, said Kim Workman, National Director, Prison Fellowship New Zealand. What came through was that thought there may be some reservations around how the discussion should proceed, it was a matter worth pursuing. Those at the Conference took the view that with good will, and if the parties could restrain themselves from politicizing the issue in order to get votes, it was do-able.

The Conference agreed that it would “urge” those parliamentary party representatives present to pursue assurances given to explore further a prison and criminal justice multi-party accord

ENDS

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