Media Release

New Zealand First Opposes Home Invasion Bill

New Zealand First member of the Justice Law Reform Select Committee, List MP, Hon Robyn McDonald, says that the Crime (Home Invasion) Amendment Bill is a travesty and has achieved nothing real for New Zealanders.

"It has wasted the time of the house and tax payers money," she said.

"New Zealand First has opposed the Bill through the whole of its passage. During the select committee process officials, advisors and submitters rejected its fundamental purpose.

"The Government has chosen to disregard all advice and push this Bill through to win a few votes," said Robyn McDonald.

"The Bill is discriminatory in the extreme. Violent crime is violent crime wherever it is committed and punishments should reflect that. Making a special case for these few crimes is a nonsense.

"This has been a wasted opportunity. The bigger issue of crime in the sanctuary of the home is that of domestic violence.

"This Bill does not increase sentencing for those crimes. The message that it sends to women and children, the victims, is that they are unimportant to this Government.

"New Zealand First do care about women and children. We will introduce legislation that is tough on all violent criminals.

"We will make sure that our legislation is fair for all victims," concluded Robyn McDonald.

ENDS

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