| Auckland: The Opposition has today shocked the public with a call for the decriminalisation of crime in New Zealand. The unexpected announcement came at a luncheon address by the Opposition Leader Jenny Shipley to New Zealand's largest organised crime syndicate, the Business Round Table.
"New Zealand incarcerates more people per head of population than any other OECD nation" stated Mrs Shipley, "the National party believes that the decriminalisation of crime, would do more to reduce these statistics than any other initiative in recent years". Mrs Shipley went on to say that in addition to the obvious benefits of a more cost effective prison system, fewer police would be required, and the judicial system could effectively be abolished and replaced with a system of decentralised ad hoc kangaroo courts and mob justice. Given time, and the support and encouragement of all New Zealanders, Mrs Shipley predicted that crime could become our biggest grossing industry, with economists agreeing that it could surpass tourism by the end of 2003. In a rare show of unity, all the major political parties seemed to agree in principle, with Mrs Shipley's comments. A spokesman from the Prime Minister's office said that Labour welcomed the move. He added that time saved completing questionnaires relating to past criminal convictions, could be better spent by MPs working in their electorates convincing constituents that crime does pay. The ALCP and the Greens issued a joint statement declaring it was high time that their voters needs were recognised. ACT Leader and list MP, Richard Prebble also agreed with the move, adding that if selling off our State Owned Enterprises in the late 1980s was the biggest criminal act perpetrated by a politician in recent times, then his involvement made him the most honest man in parliament today. The adoption of a laissez faire approach to crime is a practice that has been subscribed to by Western governments for generations. The legitimizing of criminal activity by virtue of its being enshrined in legislation would be an International first believes Mrs Shipley. |
| Opposition Calls for Decriminalisation of Crime |
Tuesday, 01 August 2000 12:00
