27 May 2002

The Government is obviously running short of ideas if it has to grab National policy from 1999 and claim it as its own, says National's Justice spokesperson, Wayne Mapp.

"Phil Goff's announcement that he will introduce legislation tomorrow to increase the use of DNA profiling as a crime-fighting weapon is copying Tony Ryall's Member's Bill, introduced two years ago, calling for DNA samples to be taken from burglary suspects.

"The public made it clear in the Withers' referendum that they wanted urgent action on crime. The DNA proposal formed part of National's Law and Order Policy in 1999 and Phil Goff's decision to introduce legislation now is obviously little more than electioneering.

"No doubt he expects a boost in credibility by announcing policy that everyone agrees with, and has done so for the last few years," says Dr Mapp.

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