Comments on: A good Coroner’s recommendation

By: Joseph Carpenter

Joseph Carpenter — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:53:44 +0000

Mr Edgeler is wrong. Only benefits under the Social Security Act are stopped, Superannuation is now under a separate act and doesn’t stop and is not classed as a benefit.

And as for the normal social welfare benefits here we have 58% of convicted prisoners still receiving these benefits while serving in gaol (note: it excludes super):
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10009992
And that’s only what the Govt knew of.

By: jedmo

jedmo — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:58:23 +0000

This change will help to uphold respect for the law. I couldn’t believe it either when I learnt that the current law lets the person serve out their disqualification time, while they’re in prison and unable to drive anyway. A bit like Churchill when he discovered Singapore’s defenses were wide open to the northward – too unbelievable, to have entered concsiousness as a possibility.

By: Graeme Edgeler

Graeme Edgeler — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:34:06 +0000

Here is another one – Does an over 65 year old prisoner receive superannuation and if so is board and lodgings deducted?

They do not receive super while in prison.

All benefits are stopped when you enter a prison. Even if you are simply on remand and are in fact innocent, and this causes you to lose your house.

By: Akaroa

Akaroa — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:05:07 +0000

Graeme Edgeler at 0913 posted “I hope not. That would be moronic” in reply to the query: ” Will the Greens oppose it as they could argue it punishes the criminal twice?”

To comment, I’d merely observe that it may well be moronic, but this is the Greens we’re talking about here, don’t forget!!

By: peterwn

peterwn — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:56:40 +0000

Here is another one – Does an over 65 year old prisoner receive superannuation and if so is board and lodgings deducted? i tries to find the answer to this a while back without success.

By: backster

backster — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:52:07 +0000

The situation is nonsensical, but no more so than the virtual habitual imposition of concurrent sentences imposed for serious crimes committed by serial offenders.

By: Elaycee

Elaycee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:37:39 +0000

@redeye: Thanks for the link. Agree – that’s bloody terrible.

By: redeye

redeye — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:21:03 +0000

Elaycee, Barlcay was on a witness protection program when he killed this young girl.

Jonathon Barclay, now 31, killed Debbie Ashton, 20, in a crash near Hope in December 2006. Just a month earlier, he could have been jailed for a repeat driving offence, but was treated as a first-time offender because the court did not know he was using a new identity.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/7523711/Horror-as-killer-driver-in-another-crash

Disgusting debacle all around if you ask me.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:48:41 +0000

I always assumed the time started once released, it just seemed too illogical to ban someone from driving when they couldn’t.

By: David Garrett

David Garrett — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:45:37 +0000

If the Greens support this, it will be the FIRST time they have ever supported any measure which could even remotely arguably be punitive. So unless Toadie is in fact Meteria in disguise, dont bank on them supporting it.

By: toad

toad — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:29:11 +0000

@Graeme Edgeler 9:13 am

Agreed, Graeme. It has always seemed a bit strange to me that a disqualification period runs while a person is imprisoned, given that they are not going to be driving anyway while in prison.

Although I suspect repeat offenders like Barclay are likely to drive while disqualified anyway, so doubt that commencing the disqualification period from their prison release will make much difference. What may make a difference is more effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation while they are in prison.

By: Elaycee

Elaycee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:26:01 +0000

Debbie Ashton, 20, died when repeat driving offender Jonathan Barclay, a former P addict, smashed into her car while speeding and drunk, near Nelson in December 2006.

Whaaat?

A repeat offender.
A former P addict.
Speeding.
Drunk.
Collides with another car.
Kills an innocent 20 year old.

This moron should never drive again.

By: Graeme Edgeler

Graeme Edgeler — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:13:04 +0000

Will the Greens oppose it as they could argue it punishes the criminal twice?

I hope not. That would be moronic. As long as it’s not retrospective, there’s nothing concerning with respect to the rule of law with this proposal.

By: tvb

tvb — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:03:12 +0000

This makes sense though the period of disqualification could be delayed. Indefinite disqualification would apply post release. This will have a marginal effect on road safety.