Nash Stuart: Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Nash Stuart: Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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STUART NASH (Labour) 
: 
 I stand in support of the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill and I want to refer to the explanatory note. This bill primarily amends the Sentencing Act 2002. As we know it proposes to impose a $50 levy on all convicted offenders—not for offences—when they are sentenced or otherwise dealt with by either the District Court or the High Court. 
I did not know much about this bill until I started reading about it. If I had listened to the Minister who proposed this bill or to anyone on the other side of the Chamber I would be none the wiser whatsoever. I have not heard anyone on that side of the Chamber propose any reason why this is good legislation. I have heard my colleague Clayton Cosgrove talk a whole lot of sense for 20 minutes about why this bill is just window dressing. It will not make much difference whatsoever. 
Let us face the facts. Crime is a disease. It is a plague. It is a scourge on our society and on our country. We all agree that the victims of crime need to be supported—without a question of doubt. There are agencies in place at the moment that support victims. They do a fantastic job. But society has a right to defend victims and it has a right to make sure that victims are transitioned back to being productive members of society as painlessly as is absolutely possible. But I am unsure how this bill will help. 
I would like to pick up on a theme that the Hon Clayton Cosgrove and the Hon Pete Hodgson just talked about. National talked about bureaucracy and how we are wrapped up in red tape. 
It is dreadful. What are we going to do about it? We are drowning in it. The courts will love it. And what do we have here? We have another piece of bureaucracy. It astounds me that we have agencies in place at the moment that are prepared to collect this and that are prepared to help victims. Victim Support is a classic one. It is just amazing. But Labour does support this because—well I do not know why. What is the point in not supporting it? 
I would like to hear from the Minister what this bill is about. I have been sitting here for an hour and I have heard the Minister stand up and run through a couple of schedules that are done in some states or a couple of other countries. He should tell us what this bill is about. He should tell us how it is really going to change the lives of victims. He should tell us how it is going to reduce crime. That is what that Government campaigned upon. It said that it was going to come in and reduce crime and it was there for the victims of crime. The Minister should tell us how the bill is really going to do that how it will transform society like the Government promised to do. I have not heard a word on that I say to Mr Power. I would love him to tell me and the people of New Zealand how that will actually happen. 
As all of my colleagues have mentioned there is $35 million going to private schools. The Government should take $13 million back and give it to Victim Support. In fact why do we not give it to adult and community education? It needs it more. If more people had the ability to seek an adult education then they would not be in front of the courts. They would be in the classrooms learning productive skills out there earning in jobs and they would not need to be in front of the courts. 
My first question is—[ 
Interruption 
] This is quite interesting my colleagues. That is the most I have heard the members on that side of the House talk about the bill. That is the most I have heard them say and they are not talking about it at all. They should stand up and tell us about what they will do. Chester Borrows should stand up and tell us how this bill is going to protect us. I want to know why all the policemen in Whanganui voted against that man and he stands up for victims. It is unbelievable. Does this sound like a message from a Government that cares for victims? I will give members a quote: “if my doctor told me I was terminally ill and I had 30 days to live with the ACC rules as they are I’d find myself a train to throw myself under on the 29th day because my family would be treated so much more generously … under the current law.” That was said by the Minister for ACC Nick Smith. It is unbelievable! 
I ask members whether that is a Government that cares about victims’ rights—I do not think so at all. My colleague Carmel Sepuloni said it right when she said this is just window dressing. It is just playing to the public. Well the public are sick and tired of it. They want real measures that will make real differences. 
Sandra Goudie 
: Ha ha! 
STUART NASH 
: There is someone over there laughing about it. She is laughing about what the people of New Zealand want. The people of New Zealand want real measures that will make real differences. My colleagues will remember hearing National members say that crime would cease when the National Government came in. Well it has not at all. It is unbelievable.