Stay tough on crime, says Bridges
The “three-strikes” law is likely to be scrapped as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system — but National is urging New Zealand First to keep the controversial law in place.
Justice Minister Andrew Little confirmed he was considering the repeal of the three-strikes law as part of a wider reform of the criminal justice system which aims to reduce the prison population.
Labour opposed that law when National introduced it as part of its agreement with the Act Party in 2010 but scrapping it could put NZ First in a difficult position.
It takes a harder line on law and order than Labour and campaigned vigorously for a “three strikes” law in the past, including in 2008.
It was not in Parliament when the law was passed in 2010 but has called for longer sentences and no parole for violent offenders. In 2017 its platform included requiring some offenders to do hard labour in return for a shorter sentence and some to serve cumulative sentences for multiple offences rather than concurrent.
National leader Simon Bridges said it would be a test for Winston Peters and his voters would be disappointed if he supported it given his former hardline stand on sentencing for serious offenders.
“We’re not talking about theft of a Moro bar. We’re not talking about the lowest lower end [crimes]. We’re talking about very serious cases.”
NZ First leader Peters said his caucus was yet to discuss the issue of the three-strikes legislation. He would not say if he still supported the concept of three strikes.
“Anything that is decided like that will go before the caucus first and it has not gone before the caucus.”
However, Little said he believed NZ First were in agreement. ● ●
“They were around the Cabinet table when Cabinet made the decision to authorise me to develop a package that has a number of aspects in it, including looking at the threestrikes law.”
Little said NZ First was in complete agreement with Labour that the prison population had to be reduced.
Bridges referred to the case of Dylyn Davis, who was sentenced in Hamilton yesterday for the murder of his girlfriend Aroha Kerehoma after beating her.
That was Davis’ “third strike” although while he was sentenced to a life sentence the judge allowed a minimum parole period of 20 years.
Davis’ first two strikes were convictions for wounding with intent to injure and aggravated robbery.
Bridges said Labour was clearly aiming to “soften up” the laws.
“Nobody likes prisons but to do what they are doing and soften up the laws will make New Zealanders less safe and we oppose those measures.”
Little said any changes to sentencing, bail and parole rules in the justice system will follow a summit in August at which Government officials and local and international academics will discuss ways to reduce the prison population while keeping the public safe.