death penalty news July 14, 2004
NEW ZEALAND: Support for death penalty in NZ The death penalty was abolished nearly 45 years ago but a poll shows nearly one in three New Zealanders want it back. The One News Colmar Brunton poll finds voters want a range of justice laws toughened up. The record for New Zealand's longest sentence goes to William Bell, who was jailed for 30 years for a triple murder at the Mount Wellington-Panmure RSA in 2001. Justice Minister Phil Goff says the government has significantly toughened sentencing and parole laws, but that is not enough for the 28% who want to bring back the death penalty. The poll found 67% do not want the death penalty and 5% don't know. Goff says the justice system isn't perfect enough to guarantee that somebody convicted of a crime actually committed that crime. "To take the life of an innocent person is the worst thing that a state can do to its citizens," he says. The National Party agrees and says more of the public would too if they saw other justice laws strengthened, such as no parole for violent and repeat offenders. Under a National government only those offenders on their first low-level stint in jail would be able to qualify for parole, and only if they show genuine remorse and rehabilitation. Just 13% of voters are happy with current parole laws, 28% want parole abolished and 58% want to retain it, but under stricter conditions. The poll shows significant support for National's tough new law and order policies but scepticism about why it is promoting them, with 54% saying the party is only doing so to win votes. The poll also questioned voters on the use of DNA samples. Currently they are taken only from those suspected of burglary and serious offences. It found 58% want compulsory samples from anyone who is arrested, 40% are happy with the status quo and 2% don't know. The poll of 1,000 voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%. (source: TV NZ)
