Alexander: Labour, Greens turn their back on victims
The Greens have sold out the victims of crime in favour of financial gain for offenders in a “cynical act of political
desperation in backing the disgraceful Prisoners and Victims Claims Bill”, United Future’s law and order spokesman Marc
Alexander said today.
“United Future offered to support a moratorium on inmate claims until a real solution could be found. But clearly,
Labour is so desperate to put this issue to bed before the election that they would stoop to doing a sleazy deal with
the Greens that sells every victim of crime short.
“The Bill, destined to pass under urgency, will enshrine the right of criminals to sue for a financial windfall - a
right that is denied their victims. It is simply obscene and Labour and the Greens should hang their heads in shame.
“Victims who have little interest in either the money or a continuing legal proceedings are expected to litigate to take
the money off the criminals.
“This Government legislation is an affront to victims, and is only supported by the Greens because it is their way of
trying to be relevant by ingratiating themselves with Labour. They may talk about fairness but who's kidding whom? This
Bill goes against the interests of justice, victims and commonsense.
Ends.