Phil Goff is so ashamed about caving in to pressure from the Alliance on the Bail Bill that he won't divulge what happened behind the scenes, says National's Justice Spokesman Tony Ryall.

"Mr Goff talked tough with his pre-election rhetoric. He was adamant that the onus should be reversed for anyone with ten convictions and had lodged a supplementary order paper to that effect.

"Matt Robson wouldn't have a bar of that and Mr Goff has been forced to back down - withdrawing his own SOP. When asked why, Mr Goff responded in the open and transparent manner typical of this Government by refusing to release 14 documents requested under the Official Information Act.

"If Mr Goff is happy with the legislation put before the House why is he hiding the advice received from officials and the letter from Mr Robson?

"There is no sign of these Ministers getting their act together and agreeing on new ideas to deliver New Zealanders a tougher approach to crime.

"Mr Robson and Mr Goff may as well be on opposite sides of the prison wall for all they can agree on justice issues," Mr Ryall said.

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