ACT wants tougher penalties for child pornographers
Tuesday 8 Feb 2005
Deborah Coddington Press Releases - Crime & Justice
ACT Associate Justice spokesman Deborah Coddington today said she would be moving an amendment to the Film, Videos and
Publications Classification Amendment Bill to toughen penalties for child pornographers.
"I propose to try and increase the maximum prison term for possession of child pornography from a maximum of two years
to five to bring our legislation in line with Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom," Miss Coddington said.
"At present, possession of child pornography is not an imprisonable offence. It's important to remember that behind
every item of pornography is a child victim".
The MP says ACT will support the bill through its second reading in Parliament this week, but is concerned that it
doesn't go far enough.
"The recent humiliation of New Zealand by Time magazine shows that this country is now being held up as a `haven for
paedophiles'.
"The Labour Government is soft-on-crime, and I hope National, NZ First and United Future all support ACT's move to
toughen up on criminals who prey on young children," Miss Coddington said.
ENDS