The government is set to make major changes to the Crimes Act 1961. Photo: Unsplash / RNZ composite
The coalition is changing the country's trafficking and people smuggling laws out of fears they aren't capturing enough crimminals.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said more than 50 victims of trafficking had been identified since 2009, but only four prosecutions had followed and just two of these prosecutions had led to a conviction.
"This doesn't make sense, and our fear is this is just the tip of the iceberg," he said.
The changes
The government is making the following changes to the Crimes Act 1961:
- Removing the requirement to prove that coercion or deception occurred when the trafficked victim is under 18.
- Making it explicit that consent is irrelevant when the victim is under 18 or when coercion or deception was present.
- Ensuring that migrants cannot be smuggled into New Zealand using authentic, but fraudulently obtained travel documents.
- Providing greater protection for undercover police investigating cases of child exploitation.
Goldsmith said the changes would strengthen these laws and stop criminals exploiting legal loopholes.
"We know these laws are not fit for purpose. Prosecution in trafficking cases is currently far too difficult, and offenders are receiving lighter sentences.
"These laws need to be more consistent with international standards, including those in UN conventions."
Goldsmith said the changes were part of wider reform the coalition was making to the Crimes Act, and addressed issues raised by submitters on National MP Greg Fleming's members' bill that's currently before the house.
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