Govt Modifies Sentencing Amendment Bill to Strengthen Penalties for Repeat Offenders

Three Strikes law reinstatement to include reduced sentencing thresholds and reactivation of previous warnings, targeting serious violent and sexual offenses, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.

The New Zealand Government has announced modifications to the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill, strengthening its approach to combating serious crime. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee confirmed that Cabinet has agreed to recommend changes that will lower the sentencing threshold, ensuring more offenders are captured under the Three Strikes regime. This comes after public feedback from the select committee process highlighted areas for improvement in the bill.

Lowering the Sentencing Threshold

"Originally, the bill set the threshold for triggering the regime at more than 24 months imprisonment. However, we’ve listened to submitters who argued that this was too high," McKee said. "We are now reducing the qualifying sentence threshold to more than 12 months imprisonment for the first strike. This adjustment will ensure that offenders face appropriate consequences for serious violent or sexual offending from the outset."

Under the modified bill, the Three Strikes regime will impose progressively harsher penalties on repeat offenders, with the threshold for the second and third strikes remaining at more than 24 months imprisonment. The aim is to reserve the strictest punishments for the most serious cases of reoffending.

Reactivating Previous Strike Warnings

In a significant move, the government will also reactivate strike warnings issued under the previous regime, provided they meet the new qualifying threshold. This will ensure that individuals who received a warning under the former system do not evade consequences for subsequent offences.

"Those who received strike warnings previously will be held accountable under the reinstated law if they continue to offend. This ensures consistency and that serious offenders cannot avoid facing the consequences," McKee emphasized.

Restoring Law and Order

The Three Strikes law, first introduced through the Sentencing and Parole Reform Act 2010, was repealed in 2022 but is now being reinstated with these key modifications. The government is positioning the amendment as part of a broader effort to restore law and order, sending a clear message that New Zealand will not tolerate repeat violent or sexual offenders.

"The Coalition Government is committed to enforcing tougher penalties for the worst criminals and making New Zealand a safer place," McKee said. "Every New Zealander has the right to feel safe in their homes, businesses, and communities."

This bill aligns with the government's overarching goal of protecting victims and deterring repeat offenders. According to McKee, the proposed changes balance public concerns about safety with the need for practical, enforceable penalties.

By lowering the threshold and restoring previous warnings, the modified bill is expected to cover more offenses and provide a clearer path for dealing with repeat offenders, contributing to a safer society.

Strong Public Support

McKee acknowledged the role of public submissions in shaping the final version of the bill. "We have listened to New Zealanders impacted by serious crimes, and we’re acting to protect them. This sends a strong message that serious, repeat offending will not be tolerated in our society."

The reinstatement of the Three Strikes law reflects the government's determination to create a justice system that prioritizes both the protection of the public and the deterrence of the most serious criminal behaviours.

The modified bill will soon return to Parliament for further debate, with the government expecting robust support from its coalition partners.