2. DAVID GARRETT (ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Justice
Does he accept that had ACT’s “three strikes” legislation been in force before their deaths, 78 lives would have been saved because their killers would have been behind bars and unable to kill; if not, why not?
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) Link to this
I accept that the legislation would have prevented lives from being lost outside prison, because potential killers would have been incapacitated. As to the exact number of lives that would have been lost, I think it is difficult to predict with any certainty how past behaviour would have been influenced by a law that is yet to be implemented.
Does he agree that saving lives and keeping New Zealanders safe is the first duty of Government; if so, given that there is strong evidence around the world to show that the “three strikes” legislation reduces homicides by up to a third, will his Government be supporting the passage of “three strikes” into law?
In answer to the first part of that question, yes. In answer to the second part of the question, the member will know that throughout the development of the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill I have taken seriously the agreement between the National Party and the ACT Party. That involves, of course, National giving the bill a fair hearing at the select committee, based on the evidence and submissions received. In keeping with that agreement, I am not prejudging the outcome.