National MP Brian Neeson says he is thrilled that sentencing law changes flagged by Justice Minister Phil Goff mimic his stalled legislation.
Papers obtained under the Official Information Act indicate Mr Goff is looking at longer terms for vicious murderers.
Murders committed with mitigating circumstances - such as a mercy killing - could be eligible for clemency or shorter jail terms, the papers suggest.
At present, the law specifies murder or manslaughter as sentencing options.
In March, the Government put on hold the Degrees of Murder Bill, giving a strong indication that it will not go any further through the legislative process.
The bill, which would establish degrees of murder, was introduced four years ago by Mr Neeson, a campaigner for stronger sentencing for violent crime.
Mr Neeson said he could not believe his eyes when he read the papers.
Under his bill, first-degree murder would carry a 25-year sentence with no parole, while second and third-degree would allow lesser or suspended sentences.
"The reason I brought three degrees of murder out was because there were complications with ... trying to declare how ruthless, or how bad, a particular situation was or how much mercy is needed at the other end.
"All he is doing is playing with the status quo. It will not change a thing. It's the status quo with mirrors. It will not work."
Mr Goff is reported to have dubbed the proposal "degrees of sentencing," saying it would allow judges to hit harder those cold-blooded killers who torture or sexually assault victims.
He cited the case of Janine Albury-Thomson, who was initially jailed for four years for killing her autistic daughter, as one where mercy could be considered.
"If you look at that case, though she was not charged with murder, I think most New Zealanders would feel that 10 years was too long, whereas for someone who tortured and sexually abused, then murdered, a child, 10 years is nowhere near long enough."
The initiatives were simply proposals that had yet to be presented to the cabinet, Mr Goff stressed.
Present sentences for serious offending "are unsatisfactory," he said in a cabinet paper.
Act leader Richard Prebble welcomed the review.
"Judges should be able to take into account aggravating factors when sentencing," he said.
"The real outrage in the justice system is not the court sentences, but the actions of politicians and bureaucrats in releasing offenders early on parole."
Mr Goff said in March that Mr Neeson's bill was well-intentioned but not sustainable in its present form.
"I support the bill going back to the select committee, but the truth is, it will be parked there while alternative options are considered by this Government," he said.
"When we consider those options, Mr Neeson's views will certainly be taken account of ... I certainly understand the member's motivation."
Mr Goff said all New Zealanders recognised that some murders were worse than others, but the bill would not deliver a solution.
"It would impose a straitjacket of three degrees. There are an infinite number of degrees of murder," he said.
"This is the opposite of flexibility."
He also said it would impose a new duty on juries, because they would have to decide categories of murder.
- NZPA
MP hails move to toughen sentences
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