Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
[Volume:664;Page:12324] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 Today I want to talk about what this excellent National Government is doing to cut crime in my city of Christchurch. As a central city MP I find that crime is what worries my constituents the most. Before the last election 400 people came to the Christchurch Town Hall and called for action on crime and for a safer city. That is exactly what this National Government is delivering. Christchurch people were concerned about criminal gangs and the P trade. We have clamped down on that and have created new powers to confiscate the proceeds of crime. Families were worried about violent youth crime. We are tackling that through our Fresh Start programme for young offenders. People were horrified by the number of violent offences in the city many of which were committed by prisoners on bail. We have strengthened bail laws to make it harder for violent criminals to get bail. At the same time we have denied parole and increased the sentences of repeat serious violent offenders and those who have committed the worst murders. 
To help convict more criminals and solve cold cases we have enabled the police to take DNA from people arrested for imprisonable offences. We have introduced Tasers. We have increased sentences for crimes against children we have increased drug and alcohol treatment for prisoners and we have provided victims access to prisoners’ compensation. We have done all this and more in the last 18 months. Labour had 9 long years to improve law and order and it did not do a thing. 
In central Christchurch we have homed in on the two key issues of intercity violent crime and antisocial road-user behaviour. Under Labour both of these issues had been allowed to get out of hand. This Government is cleaning up that mess and we have seen a real step change in behaviour. The police launched Operation Crusade which is all about having more police active on the streets and deploying them in crime hot spots around the city. The Christchurch City Council is working hand in hand with the police and complements their work by employing Safe City Officers. Camera surveillance has been beefed up and changes have been made to the way licensed premises operate. The result is a steady improvement in behaviour in public places and a safer city. It was new legislation from the Hon Steven Joyce and the Hon Judith Collins that has provided a breakthrough on the boy-racer problems in Christchurch. That legislation focuses on the things that matter to dangerous and illegal drivers—their driving licences and their cars. The issuing of demerit points and the confiscation and as a last resort the crushing of cars have hammered home the message that Christchurch people will not tolerate dangerous illegal and antisocial driving behaviour on their streets. The anti-cruising bylaws being introduced this week will nail it down even further. 
There will always be victims of crime. This Government is determined to provide a more supportive framework for victims who through no fault of their own end up in difficult traumatic and often tragic circumstances. Labour had promised a victim compensation scheme for 14 years; National has done it in fewer than 14 months. The $50 levy to be introduced this Thursday is a victim compensation scheme with multiple benefits. It means that victims are firmly at the centre of the justice system. It sheets home to offenders the consequences of their behaviour and the responsibility to their victims. Finally it provides a fund to support victims and their families. Of course nothing can alleviate the hurt and pain of victims but a supportive framework that addresses the financial and emotional costs that fall upon them will make a difference. Christchurch and New Zealand are better places because of this National Government. We are dealing to the criminals and we are supporting the victims of crime.