Ask a politician: Say, didn't we ask you for fewer MPs?

Q: To Labour leader Helen Clark.

There were two referendums at the last election, one in favour of fewer MPs and the other requesting harsher treatment of criminals. Why did the Government ignore the will of the people and enact neither?
- Daniel de Lacy, Auckland.

A: The Government has not ignored either issue, and has addressed both.

MMP was chosen by voters in the 1993 referendum to replace the First Past the Post (FPP) system. Parliament reviewed MMP just last year and its findings backed the Royal Commission's original recommendation on 120 MPs.

An MMP referendum is not in the Labour manifesto for this election.

Labour undertook a comprehensive review of the sentencing and parole legislation, which resulted in new tougher laws that came into effect on July 1.

The new legislation increases the non-parole period from 10 to 17 years, and sets the principle of the maximum sentence for the worst crimes.

The legislation abolishes the previous two-thirds automatic release so that inmates who pose a risk to society can be kept in prison until the very end of their sentence.


Q: Why does the Prime Minister call herself Miss?
- from: unknown.

A: I have always requested that media do not use an honorific to describe me.


Q: To Winston Peters, New Zealand First.

Could Mr Peters tell me what his party will do to restore law and order to our country and freedom on our streets for law abiding citizens.
- from W. Whyte, Howick.

A: New Zealand First has promised to fix three things in three years, one of these is: fixing the lawlessness and violence in our society.

It is time to mount a war against lawlessness by providing adequate police resources and powers, implementing realistic sentencing, instilling discipline in our young people through appropriate training, taking a very tough line on youth and repeat offenders, and aggressively targeting entry level crime.

We advocate a balanced policy, containing the elements of prevention, apprehension, punishment, and rehabilitation. Frequently prison inmates come out worse than when they went in. This is not acceptable. New Zealand First will introduce a category of outcome sentences which put the onus on the criminal to show that he or she is ready for release.

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