Christchurch Terror Attacker Is 'Unlikely' To Serve His Sentence In Australia

The Christchurch terror attacker will likely serve his life sentence in New Zealand.

Because Brenton Tarrant was born in Australia and only moved across the Tasman a few years before carrying out his savage and brutal attack, there have been calls for him to be imprisoned in his country of birth.

However, after several discussions between Kiwi and Aussie officials, the idea at the moment is for him to remain in New Zealand.

Winston Peters, who also serves as Foreign Minister, has called for Tarrant to be sent across the ditch and have Australian authorities deal with him.

PA

"The judgment is the only one that matched the depravity of the terrorist's crimes against the Islamic community, and its devastating effect on all people living in this country," he said.

"New Zealand First also believes this terrorist should be returned to the country that raised him. Now is the time for Australia's Minister of Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, to receive and carry out the terrorist's sentence in Australia.

"The Islamic community and all of New Zealand has already suffered enough without having to pay astronomical prison costs to keep him safe in our prison system."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he's open to talking about the transfer, however says no official request has been made.

Justice Minister Andrew Little revealed it would require a new law in New Zealand to grant moving him to Australia.

Tarrant stormed Al Noor and Linwood mosques on 15 March last year and unloaded a shower of bullets on worshippers, which killed 51 worshippers and injured 40 others.

Tarrant initially pleaded not guilty, however changed his plea and announced he would represent himself.

For his crimes, the 29-year-old was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole, which was the first time such a sentence had been handed down in New Zealand.

Justice Mander sentenced him to life imprisonment the 51 murders, concurrent terms of 12 years for the 40 counts of attempted murder charges, and life imprisonment for the terrorism charge.

Tarrant is costing New Zealand a whopping AUD $4,512 every day due to the extra security attached to his cell at Auckland's Paremoremo Prison. That will add up to around $1.6 million every year.

Topics: New Zealand, News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie