Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Sentencing (Protection of Children from Criminal Offending) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Sentencing (Protection of Children from Criminal Offending) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 03 December 2014. Volume:702;Page:1109. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National):First of all I would like to acknowledge Asenati Lole-Taylor the member who brought this bill to the House for the work she did in this House. The National Party does not support this bill because it appears to be a repetition of the excellent work that Ministers in our Government have already initiated. Further while we recognise the good intent of the bill the member proposing the legislation may be aware that the Government has already passed laws that deal with the offence against minors.My colleagues should also consider that under this National Government recorded crime is at the lowest it has been in 35 years. We are focused on staying tough on criminals. We will keep on increasing the number of front-line police officers and we want to ensure that the justice system focuses on victims who suffer from crime. Increasing the number of front-line police officers and building a safer New Zealand is part of our four main priorities towards all New Zealanders. We want to deliver better public services; that is our commitment. Wherever I go in the country I see and learn about by talking to constituents the excellent role that our police and law enforcement agencies are playing.The proposed legislation is about placing tougher penalties on people who forcefully ask young members of our society to be part of their crime. There is little doubt that in cases where people are involved in crime at a young age there is a fair chance that these young people are likely to be involved in crime for a lifetime. I understand that by virtue of this bill the member sponsoring the bill seeks to address this concern. As others have expressed the current legislation already holds tough penalties for people who are involved in crime.The legislation was considered by the Law and Order Committee. It is their recommendation that the bill not be passed because of the very broad parameters listed in that bill. The current wording of the clause regarding committing a crime in the presence of a minor is vague and thereby is likely to confuse the decision maker at the time of sentencing. The select committee found that the existing legislation the Sentencing Act 2002 and the Crimes Act 1961 already gives the options for considerations such as these at sentencing. The judge or the adjudicator already takes into account the entire situation of the crime and the people affected by it before making any decision.Last year we further strengthened legislation to ensure that any offence against an officer apart from a police officer such as emergency health or Fire Service people who may be at the scene of an emergency is included in the legislation. Sentencing should reflect the gravity of a person’s offending particularly when the offending endangers or exposes children to harm. Secondly any crime committed in the presence of minors or children such as the manufacturing of drugs is already covered under the current legislation as wilful neglect and they can be charged with neglect offences.National has also done a great deal of work around protecting vulnerable children and setting better public service targets to improve their lives. As I mentioned law and order and ensuring the safety of our citizens is critical to this Government. Based on this we introduced a law that makes it a criminal offence for anyone to stay silent in cases where they are aware of any person being at risk. We have removed parole for repeat offenders who do not want to obey the law and who are a risk to New Zealanders. Furthermore it will be much harder to gain parole as the Parole Board will now be able to screen applications beforehand. This will reduce unnecessary hearings giving the board power to make decisions on facts and evidence itself rather than any pleas from the offender. Further strengthening of the law has led to an increase in penalties for possessing a knife from 2 to 3 years. We have abolished the plea of provocation as a defence to murder.By sharing these specific examples what I am trying to share is the Government’s proactive role in ensuring the safety and security of our people and our communities. The current legislation has covered all the facts to ensure that any offender or person at risk is sentenced by the courts accordingly. Our focus I believe should not be on passing repetitive laws. Rather we should as the National Government is doing focus on better implementation of current laws and legislation. We should focus on delivering better public services to all New Zealanders. With these words I repeat that the National Party does not support this bill. Thank you.