A Bill that proposes increasing the penalty for offenders who supply explosives to commit crimes has passed its first reading in Parliament.
The member's Bill promoted by National's Alastair Scott seeks to increase the penalty from two years to five years.
"Individuals simply carrying or possessing dangerous weapons unlawfully are potentially liable for a longer imprisonment term than an individual who knowingly provides explosives intended to endanger property or people,'' he said.
"That's just not right.''
The Bill passed its first reading by 105 votes to 15, opposed by the Greens and Act New Zealand.
Mr Scott told Green MPs who questioned the need for it that they should "get into the real world''.
"We spend a lot of money around this place with bollards to protect ourselves from numbskulls who have some idea they want to blow people up,'' he said.
The Bill has been sent to a select committee for public submissions.
