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Dear John --
We're delivering on our campaign promise to
restore law and order to ensure you feel safer in your community.
Yesterday, our Government passed a new piece of
legislation aimed at cracking down on gangs and ridding New Zealand of
the misery they cause. This legislation:
- Bans the display of all gang insignia in
public places - meaning gang members won't be able to flaunt their
patches and intimidate you on the streets
- Will stop gang members from gathering in
public
- Allows police to intervene when a gang meeting
is disrupting members of the public through issuing dispersal notices
(and then they won't be able to associate with one another for seven
days!)
- Ensures gang membership is now an aggravating factor at
sentencing.
We've also just introduced a new package of
sentencing reforms, so criminals can face real consequences for their
crimes. Our reforms:
- Cap sentencing discounts that judges can apply
at 40%
- Introduce a new aggravating factor for those
who offend against sole charge workers - such as dairy owners or
service stations and for those who live stream or post their crimes
online
- Amend the principles of sentencing to include
any information provided to the court about the victims'
interests.
Just yesterday, senior Labour MP Willie Jackson
was 'saluting' prominent gang members in Parliament. The lawlessness
that his Government left us was morally reprehensible - and that
changes now.
Meanwhile, our Government is committed to
restoring law and order and committed to putting victims - not
criminals - at the heart of our justice system.
Thank you,
Paul Goldsmith
National Party Spokesperson
for Justice
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