Going for the criminal vote

This is just disgusting, our State Labor government decided to reduce penalties against property crimes the level of speeding fines:

But Morris Iemma says he hasn't gone soft. The plan, announced by the Premier yesterday, will see offenders issued with on-the-spot criminal infringement notices (CINs) in much the same way as traffic tickets are issued now.

The offences, also including possession of stolen goods, offensive conduct or obstructing traffic, will not be recorded and any fingerprints taken will be destroyed after 21 days.

Only those offenders who contest their CIN in court, and are then found guilty, would see the matter recorded on their criminal record.

"It's an absolute disgrace," opposition police spokesman Mike Gallacher said today.

He criticised CINs as soft in comparison to fines meted out for other offences, such as smoking at a Sydney railway station, or driving without a seat belt.

"If I'm down at Central railway station this afternoon having a smoke and I get caught by one of those grey security guards, I get a $500 fine," he said.

"But if I get caught unlawfully in your car I get a $250 fine.

"What's worse, if I get caught not wearing a seatbelt I pay the $238 fine and it stays on my driving record forever.

"Under this government's proposal that we have now, if I pay my $250 fine for being unlawfully in your car, I'm a clean skin tomorrow."

This is a government which can't provide adequate public transport, can't manage hospitals and can't even provide enough water. Now they have given up on one of the essential duties of government; providing law and order.

The federal coalition government will lose badly in November, but without Howard to blame their own failures on, I expect the Libs will kick these losers out next state election.