Mana – Election 2011

Monday 19 September 2011

Bradford Delighted Mothers With Babies Law Finally Takes Effect

Mana candidate for Waitakere and former Green MP Sue Bradford is delighted that her member’s bill on mothers with babies in prison is finally taking effect.

‘I am thrilled with news this morning that mother and baby units in Auckland and Christchurch women’s prisons are finally opening this week,’ says Ms Bradford.

‘The new units will allow mothers to keep their babies with them for up to two years, instead of the six to nine months that currently applies.’

‘My Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Act was a private member’s bill which passed through Parliament with unanimous support from all parties almost exactly three years ago, in September 2008.

‘I feel it is absolutely fitting that news that the new law is finally being actioned inside womens’ prisons has come through on Women’s Suffrage Day.’

‘While the change will assist a comparatively small number of babies and mothers, it will have a hugely beneficial impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and women in Aotearoa, many of them Maori.

‘It is disappointing that it has taken so long for Corrections to enact the law in a practical way, but it is better late than never.’

‘I would like to thank all the women’s and family organisations that helped push through this law change, alongside my former colleagues in the Green Party who backed me on this all the way.

‘The next step is further reform of the way women and children are dealt with inside our prison system, and should I return to Parliament under the banner of Mana I look forward to making progress on this.

ENDS

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