Prime Minister stole our war-cry says Watchdog
The Prime Ministers has stolen the war-cry of the get tough on crime Justice Watchdog, but the organization has
congratulated her – but warns it will take more than tough words to convince them Helen Clark has changed camps.
Under the heading Enough is Enough the P M says, “Domestic violence is a big issue – the level of child and partner
deaths, injuries and trauma is huge. Something like the Kahui twins’ deaths propels it on to the front page, but there’s
plenty more out there.”
A number of big-name New Zealanders including the Prime Minister have added their weight to a crusade to put a stop to
domestic violence by donating time and personal items to New Zealand’s biggest ever garage sale to raise money to
prevent violence in the home.
Enough is Enough is the war-cry the Sensible Sentencing Trust used in 2001 when it held a nationwide one-day protest
which launched the organization into the national spotlight as it questioned the liberal stance politicians had taken on
violent crime. Over 16,000 people attended protest rallies outside every Court house in New Zealand and the Trust has
continued to build on that public support.
Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said, “It is great to see Helen Clark take a stand against domestic violence, but years of
dealing with politicians have taught me to be cautious, violent crime has escalated horrifically under the P M’s watch.
To reduce the level of violence in this country will take more than just words.”
The Sensible Sentencing Trust advocates and lobbies on behalf of victims of violent crime and will be in Parliament on
Thursday arguing that New Zealand treats victims shamefully while ensuring every need of the perpetrators of crime – the
criminal – is paid for by the tax-payer, and politicians are simply limping after a problem of their own creation.
“We are happy to give the P M some brownie-points at this stage,” Mr. McVicar said, but added, “Has she come around to
our way of thinking – has she changed camps? We will reserve our decision on that.”
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