St John Ambulance paramedics performing CPR Photo: @LeeHowell2013
First responders and corrections officers are disappointed a bill which would have seen tough penalties imposed on offenders who attack them has been shelved.
The Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers members Bill, from NZ First MP Darroch Ball, would have introduced a six-month minimum sentence for assaults on police, corrections officers, paramedics, nurses and fire services.
It reached its third reading in parliament last week, but was rejected as poorly drafted by Labour and National, sent back to the Justice Select committee for further scrutiny, and is therefore unlikely to pass this term.
The Corrections Association says assaults on prison officers have gone up in the last year, despite prisoners effectively being locked up 23 hours a day during the worst of the Covid pandemic.
President Alan Whitely joins Lynn Freeman, along with St John Ambulance deputy Director of Operations Stuart Cockburn.
