Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

28 June 2007

Electronic bail a gamble with public safety

The Labour Government’s experiment with electronic bail is dangerous and must not be used on dangerous offenders, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

“This Government is using electronic bail to relieve prison muster numbers, but that must not be done at the expense of public safety.

“There is too much at stake for this experiment to be used on other than low-risk offenders.”

He is releasing figures which show that 40 of the 46 people granted electronic bail in the seven months to May this year had previously offended while on ordinary bail.

The figures also show that the biggest category on electronic bail are violent offenders – which comprise 20 of the 46 – with charges including manslaughter, kidnap, rape, unlawful sexual connection, attempted sexual violation, aggravated robbery, grievous assault. Police opposed bail in 38 of the 46 cases.

“This Government is gambling with public safety.

“They are test driving this experiment on people that it is simply not appropriate for – people who have been previously offended while remanded into the community.

“Why on Earth would you give electronic bail to someone with a history like that?

“The case of Mark Liku Famietau is a prime example. Reports indicate he is on the run after skipping electronic bail while facing charges of assault, and TV1’s Crime Scene website describes him as a senior member of an Auckland gang that has been ‘promoting their reputation for violence since 2004’ and says he ‘is considered extremely dangerous especially if he has been drinking so DO NOT approach’.

“Police opposed bail, yet Labour’s system allowed him back into the community.

“The Government knows there are holes in this system because National has been telling them so for months.

“They are playing a dangerous game. Electronic bail should be for only non-violent accused, and definitely not for those who have breached bail before.”

ENDS

Attachment: Answers to Answers to parliamentary questions (PDF)

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