Michael Woodhouse MP: Giving young offenders a fresh start

Monday, October 4, 2010

Giving young offenders a fresh start

Our Fresh Start changes, in effect from 1 October, introduce a range of initiatives to target both at risk and serious young offenders. The changes allow young offenders to be held to account, while providing the greater supports necessary to turn their lives round.

From 1 October, Youth Court judges will have a greater range of tools to deal with our worst repeat young offenders. These tools include longer sentences, authority to deal with 12 and 13 year olds charged with serious offences, and new orders to address parenting education, mentoring, and drug and alcohol treatment.

Activity camps run by the New Zealand Defence Force will be available for the most serious repeat young offenders. The camps will teach them self-discipline, personal responsibility, and community values. They will be followed by up to nine months of intensive support.

National is delivering on our promise to get tough on crime, giving young offenders a fresh start, and helping steer them away from a life of crime.

More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fresh+start+serious+youth+offenders

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Background:

I was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital Dunedin, a position I held for 7 ½ years. Previous to that I held senior management positions with ACC, where I was instrumental in implementing ACC’s Elective Services Contracting framework and at Dunedin Hospital in change management, revenue and planning roles.

I was educated at St Pauls High School (now Kavanagh College) and graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I am a Chartered Accountant and also have a Master of Health Administration from the University of New South Wales.

I was also the President of the NZ Private Surgical Hospitals Association and have also been the Vice President of the NZ Private Hospitals Association, a larger organisation which included the private aged care sector. I am also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

I have been a Rotarian since 2001 and am active in community and voluntary work in the region. I am an avid rugby fan, having played age group representative rugby for Otago and South Island teams and am a premier grade referee as well as a “fair weather” runner. My wife Amanda and I and our three daughters have a crib in Cromwell and in our spare time enjoy the great outdoors of Central Otago.

Responsibilities:

I am a member of the Health Select Committee, and of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.

I am also a member of the National Party’s Economic and Commerce Caucus Committee.

My Commitment as Your MP:

I firmly believe in the values that underpin the National Party – loyalty, security, equity of opportunity, freedom and choice, limited Government, strong families, caring communities and a sustainable environment.

I commit to maintaining those values and working on your behalf to ensure that these important principles are upheld. Although not an electorate MP, I believe all MPs have a responsibility to represent and advocate for the people in their communities.