The National Party caucus is "highly likely" to agree today to turn a member's bill raising the penalty for animal cruelty into a government bill, Prime Minister John Key says.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges drafted the bill to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from three to five years, but as a member's bill it would progress very slowly and could take years to enact.
Turning it into a Government bill means it could go onto Parliament's agenda immediately and could be debated later this month.
"It's a matter that concerns New Zealanders and clearly other political parties share our view that we need to have a look at this issue," Mr Key said yesterday at his post-cabinet press conference.
"I think it's highly likely that caucus will adopt the bill."
Mr Key said it would then go to a select committee after its first reading in Parliament, and other issues around animal cruelty could be considered as well as sentences.
"It's a very short bill, so we will need to look at some other issues in that particular space," he said.
"But the broad principle and thrust of the suggestions by Simon Bridges seem to be in line with our views."
There have been recent high profile cases of cruelty to animals, including the slaughter of 33 dogs near Wellsford, north of Auckland, last week.
The Labour Party says it supports the bill in principle and the Greens are also in favour of it.
Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said yesterday the Government should also make cruel practices like keeping pigs in crates and chickens in battery cages illegal.
"We need to make certain that any legislation covers all forms of animal abuse, including institutional abuse such as keeping pigs and hens in cages for the duration of their lives - those practices are legal," she said.
Farmers also should be punished for individual cases of cruelty, she said.
There had been several cases of farmers starving cattle but escaping with fines or community sentences.
Earlier yesterday Mr Key said there had been "some horrible cases" of animal cruelty, which he described as barbaric behaviour.
"Only 1 percent of people who have undertaken cruel acts against an animal have been prosecuted and only three percent (of them) have been sent to prison," he said.
"What we would be doing (by passing the bill) is the Government and Parliament sending a message to the judiciary that we take this seriously."
National is holding an all-day caucus meeting today at Premier House, Mr Key's official residence.
MPs will be told about the Government's plans for the year and its thinking on issues like changes to the tax system.
NZPA
The National Party caucus is "highly likely" to agree today to turn a member's bill raising the penalty for animal cruelty into a government bill, Prime Minister John Key says.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges drafted the bill to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from three to five years, but as a member's bill it would progress very slowly and could take years to enact.
Turning it into a Government bill means it could go onto Parliament's agenda immediately and could be debated later this month.
"It's a matter that concerns New Zealanders and clearly other political parties share our view that we need to have a look at this issue," Mr Key said yesterday at his post-cabinet press conference.
"I think it's highly likely that caucus will adopt the bill."
Mr Key said it would then go to a select committee after its first reading in Parliament, and other issues around animal cruelty could be considered as well as sentences.
"It's a very short bill, so we will need to look at some other issues in that particular space," he said.
"But the broad principle and thrust of the suggestions by Simon Bridges seem to be in line with our views."
There have been recent high profile cases of cruelty to animals, including the slaughter of 33 dogs near Wellsford, north of Auckland, last week.
The Labour Party says it supports the bill in principle and the Greens are also in favour of it.
Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said yesterday the Government should also make cruel practices like keeping pigs in crates and chickens in battery cages illegal.
"We need to make certain that any legislation covers all forms of animal abuse, including institutional abuse such as keeping pigs and hens in cages for the duration of their lives - those practices are legal," she said.
Farmers also should be punished for individual cases of cruelty, she said.
There had been several cases of farmers starving cattle but escaping with fines or community sentences.
Earlier yesterday Mr Key said there had been "some horrible cases" of animal cruelty, which he described as barbaric behaviour.
"Only 1 percent of people who have undertaken cruel acts against an animal have been prosecuted and only three percent (of them) have been sent to prison," he said.
"What we would be doing (by passing the bill) is the Government and Parliament sending a message to the judiciary that we take this seriously."
National is holding an all-day caucus meeting today at Premier House, Mr Key's official residence.
MPs will be told about the Government's plans for the year and its thinking on issues like changes to the tax system.
NZPA