WELLINGTON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government announced actions plans for the next three months on Monday, focusing on making Kiwis safer and restoring law and order.
Among the 40 actions in the third quarter plan, the priorities are to pass four laws that will crack down on criminal activity and support offenders to turn their lives around, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told a post-cabinet meeting press conference.
The 40 actions span the government's core priorities to rebuild the economy, deliver better public services and infrastructure, with a significant focus on restoring law and order.
Before the end of September, the government will have passed laws that will give police tough powers to go after gangs by restricting their ability to associate and banning gang patches in public, Luxon said.
The new law will give police more power to get guns out of the hands of criminals, increase access to effective rehabilitation for prisoners on remand, and improve efficiency in the courts and increase access to justice, he said.
The government will also introduce legislation to toughen up sentencing and ensure there are real consequences for crime, while also launching a military-style academy pilot for serious young offenders, he added.
Legislation will also be introduced to enable roadside testing for drug driving.
On education, the third quarter plan sees the opening of applications for new or converted charter schools, releasing a draft of new English and math curriculum, and continuing initiatives to improve school attendance, according to the prime minister. ■
