ACT Leader Hon Richard Prebble has today invited Justice Minister Phil Goff to make the Prebble Truth in Sentencing Bill a Government measure.

“I have made this offer to the Minister of Justice, Phil Goff in response to the Minister’s statement that ‘people are frustrated with sentencing which failed to reflect the gravity of offending’.

“My Bill ensures that offenders at least serve the sentences that Judges do hand down. The situation is worse than the Minister states because most offenders only serve two thirds of the court imposed sentences which Mr Goff complains are too lenient.

“I’m pointing out to Mr Goff that his one year across the board review of sentencing is a complete waste of time. We already know all of the information that Mr Goff is going to waste a year collecting again. If Mr Goff was to take up my Bill we could have tougher sentences from next month.

“84% of New Zealanders support my Truth in Sentencing Bill. If Mr Goff wants to really do something rather than just grandstanding and if he wants to have bi-partisan support in Parliament, the effective, positive thing to do would be to accept my offer to take over the Truth in Sentencing Bill which only needs another reading in Parliament to become law,” said Richard Prebble.

ENDS

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