The Sensible Sentencing Trust has welcomed changes to bail legislation, but is disappointed that the aspect of accumulative sentencing was left out.
The Bail Amendment Bill, which will make it harder for serious offenders to get bail, passed its third and final reading in Parliament on Wednesday.
Trust spokesperson Garth McVicar said they had also hoped an amendment would be passed that offences committed on bail would garner accumulative sentences.
He said that if seven offences are committed while a defendant is on bail, each offence should carry its own individual penalty.
Mr McVicar said he does not believe New Zealanders want a bail system that gives a bulk discount to offenders who commit crimes on bail.
He said he understands there is political lobbying going on and he believes it's just a matter of time before more changes are made.
More Maori representing themselves, poorly - Workman
A lobby group says more Maori are representing themselves in court because they can't afford a lawyer - with dismal results.
The Bail Amendment Bill, which will make it harder for serious offenders to get bail, passed its third and final reading in Parliament on Wednesday.
Spokesperson for Rethinking Crime and Punishment, Kim Workman, says tightening up on the law will make disparity between Maori and non-Maori worse.
Mr Workman says he has received reports from the courts that Maori are missing out on expert legal support.
He says even if they're pleading guilty, representation can cost up to $6,000 - money most don't have.
Mr Workman says they're choosing to represent themselves, and they're doing it very badly.
