Press Release: For Immediate Release

Young Labour: Bully Bennett’s Boot Camps Back

Wednesday 26th August 2009

Young Labour is appalled by today’s announcement about the introduction of Boot Camps.

“Whilst we obviously welcome the Government’s plans to introduce new holiday opportunities for disadvantaged youth and respite programmes for children in care, the parallel announcement about the introduction of ‘military style activity camps’ despite almost unanimous expert criticism at select committee is deeply worrying.” Young Labour President, Patrick Leyland, said this afternoon.

The Fresh Start plan announced this morning introduces the first two month long boot camp, run in conjunction with the NZ Defence Force, in just a few weeks time. This is before the select committee charged with evaluating the merit of such programmes has even reported back to Parliament.

“During the select committee submissions, Bennett accused experts of deliberately misleading the public because things weren’t going her way. Well over 90% of submissions on boot camps were opposed to the plan. The Government is desperately rushing ahead before the committee has a chance to report the criticism.” Leyland continued.

In this morning’s speech announcing the Boot Camp scheme, Prime Minister John Key said: “I know these programmes have come in for criticism from some quarters. But I make no apologies for backing them.”

“This is yet another example of the Government claiming to be interested in listening to the public and experts but ignoring them nonetheless. We saw it with the 90 days ‘Fire at Will Bill’, the SuperCity, Maori Seats and now Youth Justice. Where will it end?”

“This government is on a power-trip – letting its own arrogance trump the views of countless experts. Enough is enough.” Leyland concluded.

ENDS

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