GOVT BACKS BILL THAT WOULD REMOVE MINOR CONVICTIONS

Wellington: The Government last night said it would support legislation
drafted by Green MP Nandor Tanczos that would wipe minor convictions from
criminal records.

Justice Minister Phil Goff welcomed the introduction of the member's Bill,
while indicating it was likely to be amended before it eventually got
through the parliamentary system.

"The Government will support this private members Bill's referral to select
committee and after hearing public submissions is likely to adopt the Bill
with relevant amendments," Mr Goff said in a statement.

The Bill, as drafted, would wipe minor convictions from criminal records if
a person had not reoffended for seven years.

It has been drawn from the ballot of members' Bills and will soon be
debated in Parliament, although members' Bills can take many months to get
through the system because they can only be debated every second Wednesday
when Parliament is sitting.

Mr Tanczos said his Bill meant people who made a mistake when they were
young would not have to suffer for the rest of their lives.

"Seven years is long enough to carry the criminal stigma for a minor
offence," he said.

His Clean Slate Bill would only apply to offences where the sentences were
less than six months in prison - such as non-payment of fines, driving
offences, possession of cannabis and shoplifting.

Mr Goff said a Government Bill with the same purpose was scheduled for
introduction later this year, and indicated the two Bills would be combined.