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# Face of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/face-of-the-day-1482/
- Published: 2026-05-17T18:30:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-17T18:30:46.000Z
- Description: He said no victim should have to sit in a courtroom and hear how the person who robbed them of their dignity deserves a discount at sentencing because of a statement from a former running coach or a principal.
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: Face of the Day

> The National Party is promising to ban judges from taking into account good character references when sentencing sex offenders.  
>  
> While the references could still be provided to the court, if elected again later this year, National plans to change the law so judges can’t take the submissions into consideration.  
>  
> Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said taking the submissions into account was an “absolute disgrace”.  
>  
> “No sexual offender is a person of good character. Period,” Luxon said. \[...\]  
>  
> “I don’t care if you’re a good athlete and I don’t care if your manager liked that you turned up on time at work.  
>  
> “That victim in the courtroom is your character, your conviction is your character and no sympathetic statement to the contrary should play a role on their sentencing.”  
>  
> National’s justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith said too often, the interests of offenders are prioritised over victims of sexual violence.  
>  
> “As the law is written today, judges are required to take into account testimony from individuals willing to speak to an offender’s character – former coaches, employers and family members willing to state on the record that any offending is the exception, not the rule.”  
>  
> [Goldsmith](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/major-electoral-law-overhaul-includes-ending-same-day-enrolment-clarity-on-treats-for-voters/6MR5XYITBJF5ZJIGY3DGKCK2IM/?ref=goodoil.news) said that while this might serve the interests of “well-connected offenders”, it rarely serves the interests of victims.  
>  
> [NZH](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-announces-plan-to-ban-judges-from-considering-good-character-when-sentencing-sex-offenders/RRRMTEDL7JE43DELD2FEV2NKPE/?ref=goodoil.news)

[Read More Here](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-announces-plan-to-ban-judges-from-considering-good-character-when-sentencing-sex-offenders/RRRMTEDL7JE43DELD2FEV2NKPE/?ref=goodoil.news)