Guy Nathan: Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill — First Reading 
Guy Nathan: Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill — First Reading 
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NATHAN GUY (National) 
: 
 Having listened to the speeches in the House over the last hour I cannot help but think that the breakdown of the family unit is what leads juveniles to commit offences. In part I believe that is due to the social agenda the Labour Government has been pushing down society’s throat. The guardianship legislation has enabled people in de facto relationships to take over parenting the Civil Union Act has been rammed down people’s throat and family values in this country have been eroded. That breakdown in society causes juveniles to commit crimes. Some of the offences that are being committed are extremely dangerous. 
Last year in the election campaign I was privileged to bring Celia Lashlie in to talk to groups that were willing to listen to her. She has a lot of experience in relation to the Good Man project and talked about how extremely important it is to have male role models in families. It is unfortunate that family units that have broken down often do not have a male role model. They therefore have to target one whether it is the next-door neighbour the after-school sports coach or a male teacher. 
Celia Lashlie talked about how very important it is for children particularly boys aged around 10 to 12 years to have parameters in their lives. She likened it to a square-shaped electric fence that children could see through and know where the boundaries were because if they touched it they would get a zap. Unfortunately when family relationships break down and there is no male role model mothers are left very susceptible when it comes to bringing up boys. That I think is what drives the real issue we have in society today. 
I say to Ron Mark that National will support the referral of his bill to the select committee because we recognise that juvenile offending is a huge problem in our country. We believe—and I was pleased to hear Mr Mark say this—that the age of 10 years is a little too young. It is a little too extreme. At the select committee we will support reducing the age from 14 years down to 12 years for serious offences. We know that those young children—those teenagers—know when they break the law. We know that and they know that and all that happens is they are slapped around with a wet bus ticket. They know when they break the law. We need to be tougher on those people because the issue is a huge one in our society. 
Also it is interesting to note that if we are to get tougher on people who break the law in respect of gangs then we need to have more police. We need to have more front-line police. 
Darren Hughes 
: We got 1000—6 months ago. 
NATHAN GUY 
: I am surprised that Mr Hughes is even in the House tonight. I would have thought that at quarter past nine tonight he would be out there trying to get a bigger majority. He has the slimmest majority in the country and that is in the Otaki electorate which is where I am from. It is very important that we have more front-line police in order to get to the heart of the gang problem. Mr Mark can take his hat off for being part of increasing the numbers of front-line police by 1000. That will help get to the heart of that issue. 
To sum up I think this measure is a good move. It is a moderate one and is in line with what happens in countries such as Canada and Ireland. The young people who offend will not be sent to jail. We have four youth justice facilities in this country. 
Tariana Turia 
: Will the member visit the one in Palmerston North? 
NATHAN GUY 
: I will. I would like to look through that facility with our law and order spokesperson Simon Power who is doing a fantastic job. We support this bill going to the select committee. Society has a real problem in the area of juvenile offending and it starts with the breakdown of the family unit.