NEWSLETTER: KeyNotes 32 - On crime

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20 June 2008
NEWSLETTER: KeyNotes 32 - On crime

OUR PLAN FOR LAW & ORDER

Watch my video diary http://johnkey.co.nz/index.php?/archives/403-VIDEO-Journal-39-on-crime-and-Nationals-plans.html on crime and what National will do about it.

Labour is desperate to cover up its failures on law and order. It has written to me, asking National to support a new bill it is introducing to help deal with gangs. National will support this bill because it includes features of the policy we announced in November. The bill will increase the maximum prison term for participating in a gang and make gang membership an aggravating factor in sentencing.

We have also proposed a select committee inquiry into alcohol use and licensing because we think these issues should be looked at as part of a plan to tackle crime and violence.

National has already announced several parts of our comprehensive law and order package:

– Fresh Start: A package of youth education and justice measures to give young New Zealanders the opportunity and responsibility to better themselves. This includes Fresh Start programmes for those on the road to serious offending, aimed at instilling discipline and addressing the causes of offending. These programmes will include up to three months training at, for example, an army facility.

– Strengthening Police Tools: Introducing tasers if the taser trial is a success, strengthening bail laws, introducing on-the-spot protection orders to protect families, and requiring DNA samples to be taken from all those arrested for offences punishable by imprisonment.

– Clamping Down on Gangs and P Dealers: Tougher sentences for belonging to a gang and more powers for the Police to intercept gang communications and storm fortifications.

– Putting Victims First: Improving the treatment of victims, including the establishment of a victim compensation fund paid for by a levy on all offenders.

There is more policy to come. National is committed to improving the safety of our communities and we have a comprehensive law and order plan to tackle growing violence in New Zealand.

Find out more about this plan here http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12090

HELPING TROUBLED YOUTH

It's really inspiring to see just how much can be done in the community to get troubled kids off the path to crime and onto a positive life track.

On Monday I was in Tauranga with Bob Clarkson MP. We visited Relationship Services to learn about their innovative Positive Pathways programme. This is an intensive three-month pilot programme aimed at 12-14 year old boys who have a history of aggressive behaviour. By addressing problems early, the programme leaders hope to improve the prospects of these young men before they move away from their families and into relationships of their own.

I am a firm believer that everybody can make a real difference in their own lives and in their communities. Programmes like this show that community groups are coming up with innovative solutions to problems that government agencies are sometimes unwilling or unable to confront.

That's why National has developed our plan to Turbocharge Community Groups. We want to make sure that Kiwis from every community and every background have a chance to make the most of themselves and New Zealand's future.

FIELDAYS

Last Thursday I was at Mystery Creek near Hamilton for the National Fieldays. Watch my video diary from the Fieldays here. http://johnkey.co.nz/index.php?/archives/401-VIDEO-Field-Days-Walkabout-Hamilton-2008.html

It was great to meet so many people from across the farming sector and the hundreds of service industries that support rural New Zealand. Fieldays is an excellent showcase of the innovation that is driving our agricultural sector. It's also a great chance to catch up with how things are going down on the farm.

With booming world commodity prices, global food shortages, growing demand from Asia's prosperous middle classes, and improved farm productivity, positive times are ahead for our agriculture sector.

But there are also some big challenges. Our farmers face growing international competition, climate change obligations, environmental pressures, more compliance costs, and a high NZ dollar. On top of this, prices remain depressed for sheep and beef farmers.

National recognises these challenges. We also recognise how important it is for all Kiwis that our primary producers continue to prosper and take full advantage of the opportunities they have.

National is committed to policies that support rural New Zealand. We will work with our rural communities to make sure they have the tools they need to deliver a world-leading, innovative, and prosperous primary sector that plays a big part in our country's future success.

John Key MP
Leader of the National Party

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#1 - wendy said:
2008-06-20 12:10 - (Reply)

Mr Key , i thoroughly agree with your ideas especially around geting the 12-14 year olds sorted , My son this week was attacked at his school by a boy who had in the past been warned about bullying him , my concern is that whilst his boy has had a slap on the wrist your plan will mean that he is dealt with in a far more effedct manner as i beleive he will in the future become a bigger problem should the right strategys not be put in place now . I am also happy to see you putting the victims first as well as your policy around Gang membership

#1.1 - Dr Charlotte Cooper 2008-06-20 13:34 - (Reply)

Dear Mr Key and Wendy, I also agree that we need to engage with the 12-14year old group in the hopes of averting future criminal activities. I am also wondering about a comprehensive programme to target the very young - i.e. 0-3year olds. The evidence is clear that this is the critical age for laying down neural pathways for good behaviour and cognitive ability. Beyond the age of three, any therapy is about modifying existing established neuronal pathways - which can be done, but which will never be as effective as pre-selecting the type of pathways that are laid down in the first place. Can I refer you to research from the Brainwave Trust organisation which is compelling and could have major social impacts for NZ society if we can work out a way to apply the knowledge to newborns and toddlers in NZ - then we might really be able to make a U-turn on the tragic crime statistics that are permeating alot of our waking thoughts currently. Kind regards and good luck with the campaign Charlotte Cooper

#2 - Naomi 2008-06-20 12:28 - (Reply)

With a worsening worldwide economy and labour stealing your thunder, wouldn't it be better to leave Labour in for another 3 years to begin reaping the chaos they've sown that their ideology won't let them change? Aren't you in danger of getting into power at a terrible time and then getting blame for all the trouble? How do you see the ideas of Muriel Newman and personal responsibility? I'm a traditional Nat voter, but have the above concerns. What about on moral issues?

#2.1 - Ron 2008-06-20 16:38 - (Reply)

Re Naomi on 2008-06-20 12:28 Good points, Naomi, I share your concerns. Assuming Nat’s get in next election they’re going to inherit an utter basket case to put right. What to do with Cullen’s antique railway set? How to unravel the Kyoto Krap. Getting some more power generation going so we don’t have any more Labour kidology that, “There isn’t a crisis, just turn your lights off, freeze, stop showering and we’ll be right – but let’s all do a rain dance just in case.” And Muriel Newman’s the only one I know who is putting forward some principles and moral arguments. I wish she could be brought into Nat’s ranks and put her ideas into their thinking and policies.

#3 - Kate Tailby 2008-06-20 12:37 - (Reply)

It's very well and good to instill self discipline into young male youths, but there needs to be a recognition that many of them are in that situation due to parents - particulrly fathers - being disengaged parents. The acceptance of the responsibility of creating a child needs to become a priority in behaviour modification. Handing children over to grand parents who have often failled as parents is not always the best possible solution. Through learning to parent (and therefore learn about themselves) many of these (potential) offenders will begin to believe that they are worthy beings and by believing in themselves will contribute positively to their community.

#4 - J.G. said:
2008-06-20 12:39 - (Reply)

20.06.08 key notes, It is certain that The New Zealand National Party will govern after NZ's next general election. It will be more than just the price of a block of cheese' John Key and party members will have very hard work in the the future and for the future of every New Zealander to bring the country back onto a stable footing. The state of our nation has been miss handled by the current labour govt with so many policy blunders since labour came to govern. It is not to late however to turn NZ around to put in place positive policy, but the task will be huge. Time for a change, it is to long overdue. The only political party to make positive changes is The New Zealand National Party. J.G.

#5 - Richard Tweedie 2008-06-20 12:46 - (Reply)

I worry that there is an increasingly PC approach developing. The ridiculous outpouring of condemnation on John Carter when he swore at a cop,for a driving offence,left me speechless.The revenue gathering behaviour of cops these days deserves the widest objection,including a bit of bad language if necessary. NZers have had enough of bullying cops and their unsatisfactory behaviour on any many fronts. They will only earn respect by appropriate conduct themselves.They are not entitled to it as of right. John Carters behaviour was nothing expectional,but John Keys ranting on TV and disciplinary action against Carter was. Similarly the inititiave to require cops to collect DNA from all offences punishable by imprisonment is a PC joke, Sure that is OK for criminal offences that threaten life and limb. But 9 yrs of the ultimate PC government has seen many enactments that criminalise behaviour with prison penalties.In some cases, dranconian sanctions,disproportionate to the offence,are explicitly aimed at achieving the required PC behaviour.Requiring DNA gathering in these circumstances is unnecessary and further brings politicians and the police force into disrepute..

#6 - Bart Schroder said:
2008-06-20 12:56 - (Reply)

I would suggest reading some of the literature out there on the research into the causes of violent crime. Here are a couple of good overviews: http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7604 and http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/190/49/s12 Here is an excerpt from the second one, based on our very own Dunedin longitudinal study started in 1972: "We know that many more men than women become persistent violent offenders and that a very small group, less than 5% of the male population, commit between 50% and 70% of all the violent crimes (Moffitt, 1993; Hodgins, 1994). These men fulfill criteria for diagnoses of conduct disorder before 10 years of age". Read a little more, and it seems clear that you can't 're-educate' these people once they are past about 11 years old. The correct solution is to identify people at risk when they are young, and help them and their families then. Later on it is more a matter of managing the risk they pose to others - essentially having two sets of rules. The normal in-law notion that one reacts to the crime, and not to the person is wrong, to my way of thinking.

#7 - Stephen said:
2008-06-20 13:08 - (Reply)

Hi John. Is it really a good idea to send young people who have been identified as likely offenders to an instution where they will be trained to use the weapons they will probibly take with them on their first job as criminals? Why not instead post them for three months in the Airforce as ground crew. Without weapons training ect that the army have as basic training, they will still have the same discipline instilled in them, plus they can be taught useful skills in engineering maintenance, cooking, cleaning etc that can help them go straight. Also with foresight, posting them to an air force base that is not local, they will also loose contact with other unsavoury influences in their lives. [Admin: The policy refers to 'army-style' bootcamps that do not involve weapons training of any sort.]

#8 - Claude 2008-06-20 13:20 - (Reply)

I have commented previously : 1). Getting tough to criminals is a good idea. Criminals should not have Civil Rights. Youth camps should be compulsory for All youths. Jails should not be attractive. Criminals should be made to work for the community (chain gangs are not a bad idea). It is a great success in Arizona, USA, already. 2). Do not support the CO2 myth and this ridiculous, economically harmful Carbon Credits scheme. 3). Bring back the cane in schools and revoke the Anti-smacking law.

#8.1 - Maureen Green 2008-06-20 17:22 - (Reply)

John In our society, the crims appear to have all the rights and victims few. It is pleasing to note that thought has been given to victims. Another area which requires urgent attention in any plan to address Law and Order, is the timelag between arrest and court appearance. I trust that this issue is under discussion.

#9 - Iain said:
2008-06-20 13:43 - (Reply)

Congratulations on your latest newsletter. I believe that your focus on robust policy that will change our society for the furture is a very prudent use of your time rather than getting involved in the 'petty politics' we often see. Introducing chance requires strong and often courageous leadership which may seem at odds to the PC climate we often witness. Stay strong to your word and be brave! On the specfics of your newsletter I believe that addressing youth, drugs and gangs will create a better foundation for all of New Zealnd in the future. Iain

#10 - Alison 2008-06-20 13:46 - (Reply)

(1)If everyone was DNA tested at birth as was first intended by the scientist who put forward the DNA it would perhaps deter some of the criminals around. One can not jump on the civil liberties band wagon as other tests are carried out at birth and as all are innocent at birth no one is pre judged. There are other uses for the DNA eg Bali bombing and accidents. While there are some remote doubt percentages it would sure shorten the odds and save a lot of time and money. (2)Limit the amount of legal aid (S's)available per case. (3) Perhaps there needs to be some element of proving one self innocent instead of the defence attacking the police and getting off on a technicality.

#11 - John Logan 2008-06-20 13:50 - (Reply)

I support national on its policy for crime prevention. Judges fine offenders, they then, as the offender continues to offend, reduce what they owe the Government by trying to get the offender to do some community work etc.. I feel that the money owing in fines belongs to the New Zealand citizen. The were fined under the New Zealand Justice system. Army type of training would get the message across. It did me a lot of good

#12 - Nola Williams 2008-06-20 14:35 - (Reply)

Thankd heaven that this stupid p.c. rot will not be used when dealing with the crimminal gangs. GIVE THE POLICE MORE POWER TO ACT. THE POLICE ARE THE ONLY GANG THAT CAN SAVE THE COUNTRY. I look forward to a government, that is not conned into the p.c.rubbish. LABOUR HAVE VIRTUALLY GIVEN THE SCUM THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO.

#13 - John Davison 2008-06-20 14:39 - (Reply)

What you say regarding law and order is all very fine and dandy, but I think the public are a little sick of politicians coming up with "good ideas" that attempt to show criminal scum the errors of their ways while they laugh in our faces. When are you going to have the courage to start punishing criminals? I can think of no better disincentive to embark on a life of crime than to know that, if caught, you'll be doing jail time on bread and water in a cold cell with a damned good flogging in front of their peers for any further misdemeanour. Think my suggestions inhuman? Why not ask the victims, I'm sure there are plenty among their number who would be more than willing to crack the whip.

#14 - Roz 2008-06-20 15:19 - (Reply)

Thanks for keynotes. Time to respond to the big challenge of an energy, food and water detensive Aotearoa. Powerdown with clear energy and water use protocols. Walk along side cities, towns, inlets that have a Transition Towns community initiative in place. ...and keep smiling

#15 - Stan Simpson 2008-06-20 16:10 - (Reply)

I would like some consideration given to reducing the attractions of weekend drug/alcohol bashes by a considerable number of young people. If there was no market there would be no dealers. Quite clearly the present penalties caught legless and taking P are not doing the job and the community service regime is questionable. I think a one week PRISON sentence would be cheap to implement and if accompanied by a newspaper photo of those convicted would send shock waves amongst parents , peers and workmates. I suspect the deterent effect would be huge.

#16 - Paul 2008-06-20 16:11 - (Reply)

Increasing prison sentences will certainly keep the offenders out of the community for a longer time but at a greater cost to the community and have the offender returned to the community far more out of touch than when they went in. Getting work once they are out out again can be very difficult and very restricted. It seems to me that when a prisoner is released they should be like a bushy tailed starry eyed boy scout ready to do great deeds and work in the community but there seems to be nothing in our prison system to improve the inmates outlook. I believe there is plenty in there to make them worse. Look at it this way. You have an accident, broken arm or something and we put you in hospital and repair you. Break Society's law and we lock you up with lots of other people where the rule of the fist is probably tantamount.

#17 - Ron 2008-06-20 16:18 - (Reply)

"We have also proposed a select committee inquiry into alcohol use and licensing because we think these issues should be looked at as part of a plan to tackle crime and violence." Not another, please! You can enquire until you're blue in the face - it will not make a scrap of difference. Until people are disciplined from early childhood to value themselves and take responsibility for their actions they'll do all manner of stupid things. Restricting the number of off licenses again will not make a blind bit of difference - restricting their hours may help but only in a minor way.

#18 - Tony Chase said:
2008-06-20 16:26 - (Reply)

Hi John Why not simply outlaw gangs, that way the solution is easy, by belonging they become crims and can be dealt to instantly. Get rid of them off the streets and demolish their gang houses and you'll probably halve the crime stats in one go

#19 - Paul Spackman 2008-06-20 16:38 - (Reply)

There appear to be two areas driving the growth in crime - P and the increasing violence from young woman. Tackle the P problem and I believe we will see a huge reduction in violent crime. Thats where National needs to focus its attention!

#20 - E Grace Saunders 2008-06-20 17:32 - (Reply)

Re Protection orders. Why should it cost $1500 or more to get a lawyer to act in order to get a protection order? Legal aid may be available but has to be repaid. Being in a situation is bad enough without incurring debt. Recently I made enquiries on behalf of family members who had reason to fear for their personal safety -so this is mot an idle question. In this case we would have required five protection orders- three of them for young children. Hopefully the situation, which is unresolved ,will not esculate to that level again. Believe me ,I felt helpless.And very scared at times..

#21 - Russell Hope 2008-06-20 18:50 - (Reply)

It never fails to amaze me how politicians can write screeds of reports or talk for hours on end without actually telling us anything we don't already know, or what one party or the other hasn't already mooted at some stage of the game. I may be wrong but a lot of what has been covered in your report is or already has been in the pipeline to be done. As far as victims of crime go, they now have a stronger voice in the Court process and I think that being heard goes further towards the healing process than the possibility of compensation at the other end, to get both would be nice but not always possible. Discretion of compensation should be left with Judges to make, although guidelines for compensation to victims could be created and reviewed on case to case basis. A lot of the criminal offenders that are dealt with in our legal system are on Legal Aid in the first instance and couldn't afford to pay any type of compensation even when it is ordered. Still on offending and offenders, especially by our home grown youngsters, I agree that something has to be done for the odd few that come to attention for whatever reason. Minor offending at any level left unchecked or not properly dealt with in the first instance will eventually lead to more serious offending and consequences as they grow older. Converting young offenders however is complex in itself. Proportionately they only represent a small group in society but the amount of rules and regulations that now exist make it almost impossible to bring them to account at an age where it should have the most impact and leave some sort of impression not to re-offend. As we tend to behave the way we have been taught (learned behaviour) the emphasis for change and any education must ultimately be directed back to the family environment. You can remove a child from a family, but you cannot remove the family from the child - unless that child honestly wants change in their lives. By 'family' I also mean gangs and other associations of a negative element. As I said before the problem of dealing with juvenile offending is complex involving many agencies all with their own views and agendas? It will be quite interesting to see what else your Party comes up with other than what hasn’t already been tried under the many other names given to various programmes in the past. Good luck. As for gangs, I don't think the complete banning gangs are going to achieve a great deal other than to make them more secretive about their presence. They are groups that are well entrenched in society and are not going to go away. Also I don't realistically think that you will ever be able to muster the full resources required to combat gang presence in our society. Get rid of one and the same group will reappear with a different name. A more positive and realistic move would be to ban the wearing of gang regalia or display of gang colours in public places - period. Make it a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment with the confiscation and destruction of any said gang regalia or colours upon conviction. This would include patches, jewellery, other clothing and or material items identifying that person's association and or affiliation to any known criminal gang or group of persons known to participate in criminal activities. It should also include any other person who dresses in such a way as to portray association or affiliation to any said gang as listed in the schedule. For those wannabe type people you might like to throw in the term ' with intent to intimidate any person or persons did dress in known gang regalia and/or colours etc ' or something similar. There is no need to introduce a new Act just for gangs, but merely add another Part and Sections to the Crimes Act 1961 to cover the offences. You could have a 'schedule' of known criminal gangs at he rear of Act just to take the guess work out of who's who. However to drive gangs completely underground could have dire consequences. You wouldn't get rid of the problem but make them harder to find and control. It would be a bit like having a disease constantly moving around inside your body and unable to treat it or contain it. Therefore you would always feel sick but never know exactly what the problem is. Gangs are much like that, keep the disease where you can see it and it makes the treatment much easier. Take away the ability to visibly spread and you can achieve some sort of containment. As for the farming community, and God knows we do need them in more ways than one, it is nice to see they are getting richer. One day they may be the only ones financial enough to buy their own produce because the rest of us are definitely getting left behind in that respect. I don't think anymore needs to be said here. With regards to giving the police more ways to defend themselves or greater ability in solving and/or preventing crime (Taser and Compulsory DNA for offenders), my hat goes off to you. DNA is going net a lot of people where our current compulsory identification system namely fingerprints (which can be taken by force if necessary) fail. It has been along time coming, but action speaks louder than words, and I wonder how long these ideas or promises will take to come to fruition. A majority of the time policing is a thankless occupation where the only reward is the self satisfaction of a job well done. Any tools that can be added to their crime fighting arsenal can only be a bonus to all law abiding NZ'rs. All in all I think you are on the right track and I believe that you and your Party will form the next Government. I sincerely hope that is more than wishful thinking. My only advice is don't promise what you can't deliver otherwise we will only have another Labour Government under the guise of a 'Blue' banner.

#22 - James J.Read 2008-06-20 19:52 - (Reply)

Surely the alcohol problem could be reduced by using the legislation already in existance. Despite having been both a journalist and currently a Community Board member, I'm unaware of any bar fined the maximum $10,000 for serving an intoxicated person.This is but one piece of legislation we could use to reduce the problem of alcohol related crimes and hooliganism.

#23 - Rongopai Heta 2008-06-20 21:09 - (Reply)

Great I am 110% behind all that. That s positive very positive a move in the right direction. Don't forget the church's have a heart to work with youth but most don't know where to start or how to get involved or cost is a problem drive is there but to many lack resoures.

#24 - vivien graham 2008-06-21 10:40 - (Reply)

National's strategies for dealing with crime sound very impressive but I wonder how these will be implemented in reality. There is a need to override all the PC nonsense that has mitigated against criminals receiving appropriate sentences for terrible crimes against the conmmunity. Strengthening and retraining the police force in this country is paramount - is it possible to break up the gangs? Vivien.

#25 - Mike Brown 2008-06-21 16:14 - (Reply)

I think it would be a good idea to implement compulsory training in say the army, or the service of their choice for 18 year olds and upwards, for at least two years, much the same as the British national service. It might help to keep a lot of these guys on the straight and narrow. Please look at helping the victim rather than the perpetrator, as they seem to get away literally with murder. At the same time discontinue any ACC claims prisoners and offenders have,

#26 - Barry Anderson 2008-06-22 11:37 - (Reply)

Dear Sir, For the re election of National it is imperative that you stand tall above the do gooders & 1. You accept the conspicuous cause of crime and devise a plan to prepare New Zealand for a future we can be proud to pass on to the next generation. POOR PARENTING has to be overcome. Parents of offenders must be accountable. The world is short of many things, but it is not short of hopeless parents and once they are through with wreaking havoc, the consequences society suffers have yet to be born. If it is a right to bear children, it carry a parallel responsibility to bring them up as caring members of society. Failure so to do is a crime. They must be called to answer with their offspring. 2. You institute zero tolerance, truth in sentencing, which must he short, sharp, effective and unpleasant to help the miscreant to catch on. Failure so to do & it is lengthened. There is no place for parole for 'good behaviour' during incarceration. No place in jails for comforts better than the homes most arise from. Society is sick and tired of platitudes and band aids. The voting public will support resoundingly a bold approach. We await anxiously to see that you have identified the problem and embraced the obvious solution. Good luck follows the brave.

#27 - Bob Morrison 2008-06-22 15:46 - (Reply)

Let schools & others bring back corporal punishment for wild youngsters and simply dump the Kyoto carbon thing. This will solve these problems.

#28 - Harvey Rosieur 2008-06-22 17:44 - (Reply)

All the expressions we hear say the same thing . We want proper law and order. We are a nation divided and cannot expect order as long as there is such division. We can never be fully united while we hold different ideologies, but we can be united in the things we agree on. We need to find common ground on which we can agree . I'm talking about our basic morals - ie what we hold to be right or wrong.The heart of morality is expressed in the 'golden rule' - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." All thinking persons would agree to that. Therfore, if we as a nation practiced, taught, promoted and encouraged sound moral teaching at all levels of society there would be a demonstrable change in our society for the common good. It would mean parents being encouraged to teach sound morals to their children, schools including in their curricula teaching to reinforce that, linking all that is taught, so that the reason for learning is seen clearly as a benefit to everyone, indivually and collectively .This should be continued at all levels of development. That is, after all, what parenting, teaching ,Government etc are all about. Every activity should be for individual and collective good. Govt. has promoted campaigns for less worthy , bad ideological reasons, but we should be able to agree on some sound basics which are beyond doubt in their benefits by simply following the golden rule.

#29 - Sheila Vance 2008-06-22 19:18 - (Reply)

Yes to - outlaw gangs; actually DO something about alcohol, not just talk about it - it's been discussed before; take a tough line with young offenders, giving them Army time (minus weapons training); are anaesthetic darts a viable alternative to tasers?; not only give more power to the Police but make them enforce it; and a levy on offenders to go into a victims' fund is a good idea. What about prisoners doing a real money-making job, to help pay for the prisons? Good start, National, follow through. Sheila

#30 - neil burgess 2008-06-23 22:45 - (Reply)

in relation to 'P', i believe that the sentences for the financing of,manufacture or being in pocession of the precursors for the manufacture should result in 25 years in prison, no parol. These are the people who are at the top of the pyriamid and the various layers below are the devistating effects that these people create. From pushers who are using as well and trying to entice young people and the people who don't have the ability to say no to stimulants,to the victims of the crimes that are associated with people trying to finance their next hit. Burglaries,theft,fraud,armed robberies, extreme violence, both in the home and on the streets. These people are responsible for this social impact, *get hard*, start from the top.

#31 - lorraine macnamara said:
2008-06-24 11:13 - (Reply)

agree with policies regarding the current youth problems, and i know they have to be addressed in the here and now. however as a previous care and protection social worker for nine years at cyps i believe that the original generic work we used to put in with families regarding alternatives styles of disciplining and strategies of prevention were invaluable. a lot of parents have not had role models in their childhood, and had no idea of how to bring up kids with boundaries and consequences if they misbehaved. some parents really wanted, and were prepared to change and learn different strategies. we would set up plans with them and visit every week to see how they were going. unfortunately child abuse etc rocketed and more cases came to notice when the 1987 children, young persons and their families act came into being. from then, the generic work was put on the back burner and lost in the system. i still believe more assistance in this area would prevent some children coming to notice currently. i have always promoted social workers in all schools, not just the lower decile rated ones. pre schools as well. i could walk into a pre school and observe for a short while, and could select the children who may be needing help in the future.eight years on i was not wrong in my predictions. i know time and money are issues for any governtment, but to begin putting the resources into these areas at an earlier stage would be a big advantage ten years down the track.

#32 - Les J Hole 2008-06-30 15:59 - (Reply)

Hi John The PC reason for not enforcing prison sentences to "the full sentence term" appears to be focussed around the cost of keeping the "ratbags" of our society in prison... A suggested 'fix' for you! Why don't we enforce the law by ensuring all prisoners have to live on the retirement pension... Saving some $80,000 P/A per prisoner... Thereby ensuring some pain and suffering for those who have not, or do not, contribute positively to our society... Conversely, we should pay pensioners the $80,000 P/A per prisoner saved, that at the moment goes to keeping prisoners in jail, in comparative luxury, based on the number of re-offenders who go back for more... Should I ever be forced to go on the pension I will ensure I commit a crime punishable by a prison term, such as knowingly making a 'mistake' on the registration form, to ensure I receive $1730 per week in prison benefits rather than the $220 per week I would get for being a contributing and law abiding citizen for 65 years! Meanwhile, forcing prisoners to survive on $220 per week would certainly bring down the crime and re-offending rate! Tongue in cheek? Perhaps, but don't be surprised if you hear from me in Mt Eden! Regards Les J. Hole

#33 - Kiran Chandra said:
2008-07-04 16:03 - (Reply)

A majority of contributors have one thing in common...they are all law-abiding people brought up under strict, firm and responsible manner of yestreyear parenting. Smack is needed every now and then. Our modern prisons provide luxuries for crims to return to; the crims and wayward youths of today have more rights than victims they hurt and cause trauma to; the various conventions of UN have brought more harm than good to majority of lawabiding citizens everywhere in the world; there will always be all levels of crims in a society and because they are in minority they should be dictated by severest law as a deterrant rather than hiding behind PC mentality and cowardice! John, I support your Party's intentions and committments on policies and know that once in power, it'll be a mammoth task to bring about peace and prosperity immediately to good citizens with the rust and ineffective policies left behind by Labour from the last 8 years or so. Do magic to rid cancerous dependence by generations on benefits and handout schemes and be responsible to those paying honest tax for their rightful superannuation in their twilight years. The scrutiny of staff in Govt service and its agencies needs a thorough audit by some bold and tough measures! It will definitly reap benefit later. All the best

#33.1 - Les J Hole 2008-07-07 17:15 - (Reply)

Congratulations Kiran... My thoughts entirely! We have to re-introduce "responsibility" into our society... Starting in schools by ensuring all students are aware that for every one of their "rights" there are a host of "responsibilities..." And, the sanction for not accepting "responsibility" is a loss of personal "rights"... 1. Children are responsible to their parents... 2. Parents are responsible for their children... 3. Adults are responsible for their actions... No excuses accepted! Society's sanction, a loss of personal "rights" and a term in prison, with hard labour not a holiday camp! No work = no food or shelter... This will reduce the cost of keeping people in prison and discourage re-offending! It might take a couple of generations but what have we got to lose? Nothing! We have anarchy on our streets and no awareness of respect for others and their property by the offenders because most adults (and the nanny state) have forgotten the age old adage: "Spare the rod and spoil the child" or "Show me the child at 7 and I will show you the man (or women) at 40"- Now, that is a scary thought! Lets get back to a society where our children are taught to respect their parents, their elders, police and teachers... And, other peoples property... Mine were taught there are two laws: 1. My law... Being the law of our family... 2. The law of the nation... And, if in doubt, they should follow my law! Not PC enough- Tough! We have produced three law abiding and contributing adults into our society... And, if we can do it, so can everyone else... Conclusion... John, the pendlelum is slowly swinging back from "anarchy" to "responsibility" but it could be hastened by politicians taking leadership and doing what we pay them for... Taking care of the caring members of our society! Not the non contributing ratbags! Les J. Hole

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