Tuesday, 9 November, 2004

Alexander: Govt takes ‘soft option’ on gangs

The Government has gone for a “soft option, feel good” civil forfeiture regime rather than one that will put a serious hand into the pockets of criminals, United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander said today.

“Basically, Justice Minister Phil Goff has opted for a New South Wales model rather than the West Australian model and that is this Government once again paying lip-service to an issue.

“The West Australian model has taken something like $40 million out of the State’s criminal fraternity in the past two years. New South Wales has taken beer money by comparison,” Mr Alexander, who will release a far tougher Member’s Bill in the next couple of weeks, said.

“The Government should be more interested in getting tough, and less interested in looking like it’s getting tough.

“This is poser legislation.

“The real deal comes in two weeks and the Justice Minister would do well to climb on board if he’s serious about dealing to the gangs who pump drugs into young New Zealanders,” Mr Alexander said.

ENDS

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