3 February 2002
Tariana Turia's attempts to have a killer released from prison for home detention shows the Minister puts the interests
of criminals before those of victims or their families, National MP Tony Ryall said today.
"This case shows Mrs Turia does not care about the victims or their families. Two young men, aged 13 and 14, had their
lives cruelly taken by this man, and Mrs Turia wants him freed from jail. That is heartless. And it is gutless because
she never told the families what she was up to.
"Helen Clark says the Government cares about victims. Well, what is she going to do about Mrs Turia? A Minister who time
and time again backs the criminals over the victims.
"Turia has interfered and sought preference for scores of inmates. This is the first time we have heard from one of the
victim's families. It must be heart breaking for them to see one of Helen Clark's Minister's dismissing their pain and
suffering like this.
"Helen Clark's support of this Associate Minister shows that she can't deal with Maori issues. She is happy to take a
swipe at her pakeha Ministers - Annette King, Mark Burton, Marian Hobbs and Margaret Wilson - but she can't deal with
her Maori Ministers," Mr Ryall said.
Ends