Sanctions the Government is considering against child abusers won't work because the complex issue of family violence isn't being addressed, the Greens say.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says "hard-hitting" measures are under discussion because the Government has zero tolerance for child abusers.
They include the removal at birth of any more babies convicted child abusers have, which could be ordered by a judge at sentencing.
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says it's a populist move.
"She's had her latest cheap thrill at the expense of real policy," Ms Turei said.
"She is so busy blaming children and mothers that she is not addressing the fact that thousands of women and children cry out for help each year and are not getting it."
Ms Turei says all the professionals who deal with family violence should be brought together to work out strategies and goals.
"To achieve that there needs to be political leadership, not cheap shots."
Ms Bennett told reporters on Wednesday convicted child abusers, even those who killed their own children, could have more babies and whether they were allowed to keep them was decided case by case.
"We don't even do that when dogs are abused," she said.
"People can't own a dog for two years or five years, but we don't do that for children."
She says she wants to get a clear message across to child abusers - if they have more babies, they won't be allowed to keep them.
Labour MP Annette King says laws are already in place that allow the state to remove babies from their parents.
"The government has been talking about acting against child abuse for four years and hasn't done anything," she said on Radio New Zealand.
"We think this is just talk to take the heat off other issues."
Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell says it would be "going too far" and although he hasn't seen details he doubts his party could support it.
ACT's John Banks is yet to comment, saying he needs to know more about the issue first.
NZN / 3 News