The leader of Renua, Lucinda Creighton, has reiterated her party's view that parents of repeat young offenders should be held accountable for their children's actions.

Last night during the Leaders’ Debate Ms Creighton spoke on her party’s wish to see a three-strike rule implemented for serious criminal offenders - where people would be given a life-sentence, for three convictions of a serious crime.

She also discussed Renua’s wishes to see parents held legally responsible for the actions of their children.

Ms Creighton says taxpayers should not be burdened with legal costs of cases involving repeat young offenders, with parents having to cover legal costs in some cases.

“Why should taxpayers continually pay for the legal cost of young offenders whose parents show no interest?,” she said.

“Of course those parents should be called into the courtroom, of course they should be held accountable and we’re saying in some instances, where they how no interest in correcting behaviour, where they make no effort to try to put their children on a different track then they should be held accountable.

“I think that’s reasonable, in a society where we’re supposed to all contribute, play our part and be responsible,” she added.