"The National Party in Opposition will support any sensible Government proposals to act on the Withers Referendum," says National's Justice Spokesman Tony Ryall, following Mr Goff's speech to the Judges Conference.

"We agree with Mr Goff's comments that Parliament must act on the 92% vote in the referendum. We've been concerned with the Minister of Corrections, Mr Robson, travelling the country dismissing 92% of voters as misguided and uninformed. Matt Robson still doesn't get it.

"Over the next year, National will be proposing its own ideas. In Government, we introduced the Victims Rights Bill and the Bail Bill. Dr Mapp has a private members bill to remove automatic parole provisions for violent offenders.

"We are looking forward to Mr Goff's new proposals for longer sentences for all violent offenders as he promised last year. We're not sure chatting with judges will actually work but today's speech indicates that National and Labour can work together on these matters. We hope Mr Robson will fall into line," Mr Ryall said.

Ends

© Scoop Media