Updated 1.58pm: The Labour Party wants to force people to get on the electoral roll, by withholding state support from people who don't.

The party's General Secretary Tim Barnett says the move would be justified if it helped lift voter turnouts.

It's part of Labour's submission to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee and would require those claiming Working for Families and similar tax credits to be registered.

Mr Barnett says there's widespread concern at the number of people not enrolling to vote, and there's pretty compelling evidence it's a continuing pattern.

However he shied away from commenting on the issue – refusing to give an interview today.

The proposal isn’t gaining favour with the Green Party, with co-leader Metiria Turei saying it’s a confusing idea which will disenfranchise people who already aren’t motivated to vote.

“I don’t know why they’ve put it forward, they’ve said it’s not a policy,” she says.

“They’ve said they don’t necessarily believe it’s the right idea but it’s one to be considered. It’s a very confusing message from Labour.”

Ms Turei says the party will oppose the proposal at the submission stage.