“In Parliament this afternoon, Mr Goff denounced calls for life sentences to be for life without parole while at the same time expressing the views that some violent killers should never be released; that his Sentencing and Parole Bill will mean longer sentences for many killers and violent offenders; and, that the scope for preventive detention will be broadened to cover a wider range of violent offences.”

“In other words, Mr Goff committed himself to life meaning life in all but name.”

“What this really shows is the extent to which the government’s policy is an ‘all things to all people’ game with mirrors.”

“Mr Goff obviously believes life should mean life but is clearly unable to convince the extreme leftists of the Alliance and the Greens, and half the Labour Caucus this should be so.”

“He has therefore been reduced to implementing a policy he does not believe in, and which will not do what he says.”

“It is time Mr Goff stopped playing with mirrors on this issue and fronted up to the concerns expressed by 92% of New Zealanders at the 1999 referendum,” Mr Dunne says.

ENDS