Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says the weight of public opinion in his electorate is in favour of a three strike sentencing regime for the worst repeat offenders.
This analysis comes from a survey Simon conducted in Tauranga electorate in the middle of 2009. Of the 6000 household respondents, Simon says 86 per cent were in favour of the three strikes policy.

Tauranga MP Smion Bridges.

'I believe the overwhelming nature of the response, combined with the high number that responded made a difference to the government's resolve to act on this matter,” says Simon.
'I took this overwhelming support back with me to Wellington and made it known to many MPs, including members of the Law and Order Select Committee, who have and will continue to work on this matter.”
They are working on the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill which is intended to plug a gap in the law regarding the punishment of the most serious repeat offenders.
Under the three strikes regime an offender will receive a standard sentence and warning for the first serious offence. For the second offence they will get a jail term with no parole and a further warning. On conviction for their third serious offence, the offender will receive the maximum penalty in prison for that offence with no parole.
'Some may see this Bill as harsh. But it's only harsh on the very worst and most dangerous of repeat offenders,” says Simon.