Public Issues

October 2009 - Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill

In April we prepared and presented a submission to the Justice and Electoral Committee on the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill based on NCW policy and responses provided by members. The Bill principally amends the Sentencing Act 2002 by proposing to impose a $50 levy on all convicted offenders when they are sentenced or otherwise dealt with either by the District or High Courts. Revenue generated from the levy would be used to fund new entitlements and services for victims of serious crime.

NCWNZ passed a resolution in 1991 asking that the government increase the percentage of money received in court fines, which is paid into the Victim's Task Force Fund. Consequently, NCWNZ supported the intent of this Bill which has now been reported back from the Justice and Electoral Committee.

One of the concerns expressed about the Bill was that it was not clear how the victims would access the approved agency to receive funds. This section of the legislation has been slightly altered to state that - " The Secretary of Justice may approve an organisation as an approved agency if satisfied that the organisation has as one of its roles, providing services to victims of crime.... and that the organisation has members with the knowledge, experience and skills to provide services to victims of crime" which makes it a little clearer than in the original Bill.