Beating the law'n'order drum
The old law'n'order drum is getting a good thrashing this week.
There's only so long that MPs can spend resisting the temptation to make political capital out of the misery of violent crime, and it didn't last much longer than the first Question Time after the House returned from recess.
Politicians from all sides of the House have been keen to take the credit for initiatives that crack down on drinking, crime, and gang activity but less enthusiastic about accepting some of the blame for what's gone wrong.
Despite trading blows, however, a fair amount of common ground has been revealed, with National pledging support not only for Labour MP George Hawkins' liquor licensing bill but for a Government bill that will double the penalty for belonging to a gang from five to ten years and make gang membership an aggravating factor at sentencing.
The entire House allowed Hawkins to leap-frog his bill into Parliament without following the usual procedures, which is a sign that MPs realise this is not the time to be seen to be blocking any measure that might be seen to be doing something about the issue.
All except ACT, however, which argued Hawkins' bill was a knee-jerk response to a much wider problem and wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. But old Georgie is a sly fox and he simply waited until neither Rodney Hide nor Heather Roy was in the chamber before seeking leave for his bill.
But any sense that Parliament has been prepared to put aside petty politics to address law and order issues was well and truly dashed by Wednesday. Oh, the posturing. National's leader John Key accused the Government of sitting on its hands and bleating platitudes; Prime Minister Helen Clark accused the Opposition of "crying crocodile tears'' and faking concern while having done nothing about the problem when last in government.
Labour is vulnerable on law and order, however, and that's why it's been very quick to spring into action this week on the back of the murderous few days in South Auckland. It's also re-launched its principle strike weapon, Phil Goff.
Goff is probably the most Right-wing member of Labour's caucus and has by far and away the most credibility on law and order issues. Under his watch the number of prison beds increased markedly, a fact he's proud of while most of his colleagues see it as a black mark against him. It all depends on whether you believe you should be locking people up or rehabilitating them.
Goff was let loose during general debate yesterday, and he scored some direct hits on National as he compared the record of the two parties in terms of average sentences, parole board decisions, gang membership, police numbers, and so on. Partly he was helped by the absence of National's law and order spokesman Simon Power, but Goff remains the only person in Labour who can out-tough the Opposition on crime.
Justice Minister Annette King's attempt was a dismal failure. Her office dusted off a bill Mark Burton took to Cabinet a year ago and presented it as new legislation. King even challenged National to back the "tough new penalties'' for gangs and said it was time for National to back its "rampant rhetoric'' with "real action''.
Only problem was she forgot, as Key later pointed out in the House, to take the Twink bottle to the name on the bill, which said "Mark Burton'' not "Annette King''.
Her office later explained to me that while it was true the legislation had been written a year ago, Burton had been "busy'' that year and unable to find time to table the bill in Parliament. When I asked what he had been doing, they replied "well, the Electoral Finance Act took up a lot of his time''.
I can just see heartland New Zealand welcoming the news that tough new gang laws were held up because the then justice minister was too busy trying to rort the campaign finance system.
An attempt to introduce the bill was made earlier this year, apparently, but the Government couldn't find the numbers. I find this hard to believe, given NZ First MP Ron Mark's vociferous support for any measure that cracks down on criminals, but that's what I'm told.
So now two "new'' pieces of legislation are on Parliament's books and both are likely to make a speedy entrance to the statutes. Will they make any difference? It's unlikely. But law and order is set to take its place next to the economy as a big election issue.
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Election year posturing, especially by our the prime minister and her cohorts spouting forth platitudes, when they had 9 years to do something. What does it take to get something done? - 4 murders in an elction year in a Labour stronghold. Where has George Hawkins been all these years?
What a total waste of space. Will spend lots of money and achieve absolutely nothing. Typical politics. Sickening and pitiful.
Colin, calling on your vast knowledge, or google... :) What did labour 'promise' in 1999 in regards to 'law & order', what was their platform?...all rhetoric in election year from all parties is meaningless, what have Labour 'delivered', as NOW, surprise surprise, in election year is to be tough on crims...is it de javu and their 'promise' still goes unfullfilled?...afterall the sensible sentensing trust has cropped up to be a major media organisation within the last 8 years...your blog is interesting, but predictable, but low on the last 8 yrs of Labour 'rule'
Nothing will happen, here are a few examples from this govt:
1. On reports, continually getting different people to do the same or similar report, ignore them all if they disagree, commission someone else to do another until you get one you agree with. To date there have been 43 or so reports into the health service, most of these dealing with staffing. Maybe if one of them was actioned there would be movement, but no just commission another.
2. On esablishing a victims charter. 14 years ago the present PM made a passionate speech about victims rights and the need for a charter, well we all know what’s happened since….. Nothing!! In 2004 the govt promissed anti gang leglistation, yet again…… Nothing!! Going to be harder on crims, yep now they get out earlier, can learn golf and play Petanque. Just to name a few things.
Instead they have spent their time interfering with our lives and passing policy making their illegal acts legal.
To many lies, and to much non action for most of us
good post dave and that is why they face the biggest defeat at the polls in modern labour times, well for HERR helen to get a piece of '4th term' history within Labour...D'oh, she's f**kd!
Another nail in Labours coffin. Years of intense lobbying by the Sensible Sentencing Trust and after 9 years of Labour Party rule there has been nothing done except loosen bail conditions that has directly resulted in more horrific crimes we all know about. Now its election year and it becomes politically expedient for Labour to be seen to get tough on crime. Perhaps this is another of Aunty Helen's "Big Ideas" for election year.
These measures will solve nothing. Its the parents of the young thugs and killers that need to be taken to task for badly raising them.
Role on the election and lets get rid of this farcical Government for a very very long time.
It's always interesting reading the anti-Labour comments on this blog. I wonder that if National wins the election will the anti-Labour gang overlook any mistakes the Nats will make?
Kiwibloke,
I'd like to think I'd take to task any incompetent, lying and corrupt politician. I don't give a damn what colour their party sponsored underpants are.
This lot have had enough time to foist their brand of ideological crap on to us, next please.
OOPS!!
Action on something at last - remember the blog http://stuff.co.nz//blogs/politics/2008/02/15/pm-takes-on-the-taggers-down-in-the-hood/#comments Yep 2000 dollar fines for taggers is going to stop it all. I'll stick to my comments from the 16 Feb.
"No one pays fines anyway, why not put it up to 10 million dollars, that will make a difference. Who is going to catch them? the police are to busy chasing parents who give their children a clip around the ear to prevent them from riding onto the road.
Didn’t Labour only become intrested in this after the PM’s house got tagged last year? If I remember recently the minister of Stupidity (we will apply the law of common sense) got hit twice.
Is this a coincidence? Or am I being cynical again?"
Comment by Dave — 16 February 2008 @ 10:34 am
See nothing has changed, a new law which will achieve nothing, more good worthwhile work from the Govt (NOT). Maybe they can leglistate that all kids are to have breakfast prior to going to school as they learn better after breakfast. Then all those groups who provide breakfasts can move onto something else as the problem will be solved. Yep just as stupid as this anti tagging law.
When are we going to see some solutions and sensible idea's from these clowns who govern us?? I think never, as they are so far from reality and have no clues what so ever how we all live and what we face on a daily basis. People are not bprn criminals they are made so through environment (domestic normally) and/or learning difficulties (ADHD / DYSLEXIA) just add opportunity. All these can be treated and these people contribute in a worthwhile manner in society. Opportunity can be removed through sport and community activities. All it takes is assistance and guidence at the top of the cliff vice the bottom.
Have any of the politicians the guts to do what is required?? I think not its all just to hard. Just wait for more empty retoric.
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Colin Great article and it does show how vulnerable as you say the Labour Government is over Law & Order.
It also show Goff will be there to take over when Queen Helen tumbles ever so gracefully off her perch.
The desperation is evident when Annette King come up with a trick like that trying to deceive yet again the New Zealand public it was great to see she was caught out by John Key.
I listened with interest as Labour tried to rebuff George Hawkins criticism of his own party and the fact they were very slow in reacting to crime.
What ammunition for National who I don't think used it as well as they could have.
It all shows a government who can see the wagons circling around them but don't know the way out of the mire where will the next arrow come from and does it have a barb on it.