Live stream: PM briefs media after law and order announcements
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to media after Cabinet met earlier today.
The briefing follows two announcements on law and order in the past 24 hours.
Yesterday, the Government announced that people who assaulted on-duty police officers, firefighters, paramedics or prison officers would face longer prison sentences under new criminal offences.
Those who assaulted with intent to injure would face up to five years in jail, while those who injured with intent could receive up to seven years — an offence that would also trigger the Three Strikes regime, requiring mandatory minimum sentences.
And, this afternoon, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith unveiled a specific offence for "coward punches", which would mean tougher sentences for perpetrators - up to life for culpable homicide.
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A coward punch usually involves a person being punched or assaulted, without warning, by a stranger.
Goldsmith said: 'We know how dangerous they are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences.
'This fulfils a commitment in the National/New Zealand First coalition agreement, to introduce legislation to create an offence for anyone who injures or kills someone with a coward punch."
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