Media Release
28th November 2007
New Zealand: A Land Fit For Criminals
New Zealand has progressively become a land fit for criminals – with dangerous predators plying the streets – lying in
wait or stalking their next victim – while the Government and Justice Officials continue to labialize laws making it
easier for them to do so.
That is the response and the opinion of the Sensible Sentencing Trust to the latest in a series of violent crimes and
murders.
Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar is well known as New Zealand’s most vocal opponent to the soft Law and Order policies that
have been implemented by various governments over recent years.
McVicar says as laws have been introduced that have allowed offenders to be released on Parole or Bail or Home-Detention
the innocent and unsuspecting in our communities have paid a horrific and unacceptable price.
“The Police are doing a wonderful job making quick arrests but they are continually frustrated by liberal laws allowing
repeat violent offenders back on the streets.”
McVicar says even though arrests have just been made in the brutal murder of Emma Agnew and the cowardly beating of an
81 year-old pensioner in Howick he is betting they will have a list of previous offences “as long as my arm.”
“I am not a betting man – but I am prepared to lay my future as head of the Sensible Sentencing Trust on the line that
these criminals are repeat offenders – on the proviso the Ministers of Justice and Corrections do the same.”
The Government and Justice Officials have continually introduced laws that have allowed violent offenders with a long
criminal history to be recycled at alarming rates, McVicar said.
“What I am saying here is Enough is enough – there are too many innocent New Zealanders losing their lives – I’m
challenging Annette King and Phil Goff to put their jobs on the line – as I am prepared to do.”
“If these criminals are first time offenders I will offer my resignation as head of the Sensible Sentencing Trust on the
proviso they also offer to resign if they are repeat offenders. The public of New Zealand can be the Judge as to whether
our offer of resignation is accepted or not.” Ends
ends