National to get tough on child abusers

John Key says National would reassess whether home detention was an appropriate sentence for people convicted of violent offences. Photo / Dean Purcell

National leader John Key said today his party would limit who could get home detention and would impose longer sentences for abusing or killing children.

Mr Key said home detention sentences were too easy to get and it should only be available to low level offenders.

National would reassess whether home detention was an appropriate sentence for people convicted of violent, sex and drug charges.

Penalties for those who abused or neglected children would also be increased.

- NZPA