United Future
Marc Alexander

Alexander: Dalzielís answer a cop-out

"If there was an inevitability about young Coralís death, it was because we have a system that allowed a violent, drug-using 88-times convicted man bail for a fourth time; it was because we have a system placed that man on home detention in a house with a two children that were not his own.

"Now I donít call that inevitable - I call that stupid policy and ludicrous judicial dilly-dallying," Mr Alexander said after Ms Dalzielís answers to his question on the issue in Parliament.

"Yes, Steven Williams was a thug of the worst kind, but when we have Government Ministers claiming such things are inevitable despite the fact that there are clear judicial flaws at play here, then we might as well all pack up and go home," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman, said.

Two things need to happen, he said.

"First, letís get real. If we say the onus of proof is now upon the offender to prove they should be bailed, then this case puts the lie to that. It did not happen. Williams should not have got bail. Letís look at why he did.

"Second, home detention should not be possible for violent offenders or drug offenders, particularly when they are being placed into homes with young children," Mr Alexander said.

"The answer here isnít for Government to wash its hands; itís for it to roll up its sleeves," he said.

Ends.