KEY POINTS:
Justice Minister Annette King has hit out at National Party leader John Key, calling today's state of the nation speech short on alternative policies to the ones being pursued by the Labour-led Government.
"In fact, National is packaging Labour's policies with a blue ribbon," Ms King said.
In today's address Key said he will get tough on youth crime and what he describes as "unexploded time-bombs on a fast-track to Paremoremo".
Mr Key said National would introduce army boot camps as part of Fresh Start Programmes, double the length of residential sentences and issue electronic bracelets for those who do not comply with court ordered supervision contracts.
But Ms King said the National leader's comments showed little understanding of how to improve the situation.
"John Key talks right at the start of his speech about dealing with kids who already pose a serious threat to the security of our communities, and that comment alone shows little commitment to young people," Ms King said.
"It's no good waiting for a young person to become a serious threat before you do anything.
"His 'state of the nation' speech on youth virtually ignores the hundreds of thousands of good young New Zealanders who are making such a positive contribution to our communities. Instead he focuses his slogans on about 1000 young offenders, and what he doesn't do is tell us how he will stop that number swelling.
As part of today's speech Key also revealed the Youth Court would have its jurisdiction increased to hear cases involving 12 and 13 year-old offenders. Currently the minimum age is 14.
He also pledged parenting courses, mentoring programmes and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
"The habit of the Clark Government is always to shy away from these problems. They prefer to poke their noses into the lives of good parents while ignoring the ticking time bombs right in front of them. That's not my approach," Mr Key said.
Ms King says the Government already has in place many of National's so-called policy initiatives.
"Their so-called tougher sentences are no more than a repeat of current government initiatives. Longer residential sentences are already before Parliament in a Bill introduced last year, and will be in place long before the election. We are funding many community programmes that Mr Key refers to."
Prime Minister Helen Clark will make her state of the nation speech tomorrow.
