Legislation reducing the number of parole hearings for offenders who still pose a threat to the community has passed its first reading in Parliament.
Justice Minister Judith Collins says that currently up to 800 unnecessary parole hearings take place each year, placing needless stress and anxiety on victims of crime.
Under the present Act, once offenders are eligible for parole the Parole Board has to consider releasing them at least once every 12 months.
Ms Collins says the new Bill increases the maximum time between parole hearings from 12 months to two years, and for offenders serving more than 10 years, from three to five years.
The legislation passed its first reading by 104 votes to 15, with the Greens, Mana and Brendan Horan voting against. It will now be considered by the Law and Order select committee.
Legislation that increases the penalties for making, trading or possessing child pornography has also passed its first reading.
Judith Collins says the Bill targets criminals who prey on children, either by feeding the supply or fuelling the demand for the underground child sex abuse market.
The legislation would increase the maximum penalty for possession, import or export of an objectionable publication from five years in prison to 10 years.
It also increases the maximum penalty for distributing or making an objectionable publication from 10 years in prison to 14 years.
The bill passed its first reading unanimously and will now be considered by the Justice and Electoral select committee.
Parliament has risen on Thursday after sitting under urgency since Tuesday.
The House passed 10 pieces of legislation through their final stages, including the Social Housing Reform Bill, the Financial Reporting Bill and the Maori Television Service Bill.
Parliament will resume on 3 December.
