"Norm Withers petition on victim restitution has won overwhelming approval from the voting public," Graham Capill, Christian Heritage Party leader said today. "It is a wonderful opportunity now for New Zealanders to vote some common sense into our justice system."

Mr Capill was announcing the success of the Christian Heritage Party's efforts in supporting Norm Withers petition which the Clerk of the House acknowledged today had the necessary valid signatures (over 285,000) to force a Citizens' Initiated Referendum, probably in conjunction with the general election this year.

"My personal congratulations go out to Norm and his mum Nan," Graham added. "Their determination to put the case for victims before the voting public has come at no small personal cost and sacrifice.

"The Christian Heritage Party's policy on victim restitution will now play a key role in the election campaign as other parties will be forced to either agree with us that victims need to be compensated by their offenders or suffer at the ballot box. The voters are fed up with a justice system pandering to the criminals and ignoring the rights and needs of the victims," he stated.

"Up and down the country we have had overwhelming support for this petition. Our people were inundated with support. This is shaping up to be a key election issue of 1999."

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