“3-strikes” not no strikes
30 August 2024.
New Dairy and Business Owners Group Chairperson, Manish Thakkar, has called on the Justice Select Committee to make 3-Strikes reinstatement real law.
“Back in March 2022 while Labour was repealing 3-strikes, we warned them they’d have blood on their hands. That was tragically proved just eight months later, yet Janak Patel’s murderer and his accomplices, will never have a “strike” registered against them,” Mr Thakkar said.
“That’s why we told the Justice Select exactly how they needed to word the Bill to ensure it is 3-Strikes not “no strikes.’ We wanted to talk to our submission but were never given the chance.
“Two words undermine this Bill from the get-go “manifestly unjust.” This provides liberal judges the means not to award “strikes” against thugs and it needs to be removed completely.
“The Bill also risks the reverse outcome of even softer sentences because it makes 24-months the benchmark.’’ We know there are two sentences’ judges consider. There’s the high starting point that’s whittled down after sob stories into whatever end point a criminals gets.
“We retain 24-months, but define it as the starting point sentence to ensure those who ought to be behind bars, are. You are talking the 42-worst crimes we have after all.
“We’ve added burglary and its rural equivalent as additional second and third strike offences too.
“Many dairies and almost all farms are home businesses, so if you have a criminal already convicted of violent or sexual crimes, then breaking and entering someone’s home, or business, puts all the risk on the victim. That’s why burglary needs to be an additional crime for a second and third strike.
“We also replaced Section 5 that’ll stop activist lawyers going off to the Supreme Court. This Bill will affect the rights of convicted criminals and most Kiwis won’t have an issue with that.
“As for the rest of us behind the counter, on farms or just walking down the street, we have rights too. A right not be robbed, assaulted or worse by those this 3-strikes law should get off the streets. That’s what our amendments achieve. This Bill should do as well,” Mr Thakkar said.
For more information and the submission can be downloaded here:
About Manish Thakkar migrated to New Zealand in September 2001 with his wife and two young children, starting his journey with just $2000 and no local connections. A qualified production engineer, he initially worked as a machine operator and later as a maintenance engineer. In 2006, he bought a dairy shop in Cambridge, growing his business despite the 2009 recession. Manish opened Parkwood Supervalue in 2016, fulfilling a dream project of his late wife. He also established the Waikato Retailers Group and Gujarati Pariwar Waikato Inc. Recently appointed Chair of the Dairy & Business Owners Group, he continues to champion retail crime prevention and community unity.
About Ash Parmar: Ash Parmar is a Hamilton based liquor retailer, he has owned and operated retail sites around Waikato for 19+ years He is a strong advocate for small business excellence. Also, with particular interest in safer communities so that consumers and businesses can operate freely.