The Justice Minister claims victims would be disadvantaged under National’s plan to scrap the Sentencing Council and the Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
The idea was revealed at National’s conference in Wellington yesterday. National has promised to use the money saved by discontinuing the two outfits to help compensate victims of crime.
But Justice Minister Annette King says the aim of the Sentencing Council is to develop consistent sentencing across the country. She says people appointed to the Advisory Board were put there because of their skill, experience and level-headed advice.
Mrs King says National has already talked about levying every offender to raise $5 million for victims. She calls the party’s scheme “a hoax” and claims victims would be lucky if they got more than $20 in compensation under National.
Source: http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=141960