The Coalition Government is creating victims, not supporting them
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1 March 2024
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Fear mongering was heavy in the lead up to the 2023 elections. The message was that hardened criminals and nefarious gangs were putting public safety at risk. We were experiencing a “crime wave” of “brazen offending”, said the National Party, and it was time we stopped “cuddling criminals” to “keep our communities safe”, said ACT. Now that National, Act and New Zealand First hold the political playbook, it’s time to hold them accountable. Is decreasing crime and supporting victims still at the forefront of their agenda? Looking at the bills they’ve passed under urgency, it’s hard to think their commitment towards victims has been anything more than a ruse. As the Coalition Government's 100 Day Plan enters its final phase, we’re on track to becoming a nation with harsh sentences, aggressive policing strategies, and lifelong consequences for youth offenders and gang whānau. The prisoner target has already been abolished, and section 27 reports will soon be defunded. |