ACT To Support National On Car Crushing

Having carefully reviewed the proposed Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill following the report back from Select Committee, ACT has decided to support the National Party and ensure the legislation passes through it's Second Reading, ACT New Zealand Law & Order Spokesman David Garrett said today.

"While ACT initially had concerns around the infringement of property rights - particularly those of third parties like relatives and lenders - we are satisfied that these issues have been adequately addressed by the Select Committee," Mr Garrett said.

"When weighing up the prevention of dangerous illegal behaviour and the need to uphold private property rights, we must also carefully balance ordinary citizens' rights to enjoy their environment without fear of threat or harm with so-called 'rights' of hoons. ACT believes that this Bill gets that balance right.

"Further, the proposed Bill is consistent with ACT's ‘Three Strikes’ philosophy – destruction of seized vehicles can only occur where a person is convicted of a third illegal street racing offence within four years.

"Before that can occur - and it is at the discretion of the sentencing judge - any third party with an interest in the vehicle will have received prior written notice of the possible consequences of that vehicle being involved in similar offending. Both the offender and the third party have rights of appeal on a number of grounds against any order for destruction of the vehicle.

"ACT is satisfied that this is a sensible Bill, which covers loopholes in similar legislation passed by the previous Government while also adequately protecting the property rights of innocent third parties," Mr Garrett said.

ENDS