The new Police Minister has come under fire over the government's decision to scrap three strike laws - without campaigning on it.

Judges are currently compelled to give any offender who commits a third violent or serious sexual crime the maximum prison sentence.

The government is removing the law, saying it doesn't work.

Police Minister Stuart Nash has been grilled on the Mike Hosking show, by National's Steven Joyce, as to why no one knew about this, until now.

LISTEN ABOVE AS LABOUR MP AND NATIONAL MP STEVEN JOYCE SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING