The policy caused controversy interstate when a Sydney newspaper reported that mass-murderer Martin Bryant would be allowed to vote in Tasmanian elections if the policy was implemented.

The Greens made it clear that judges had the discretion to withdraw the right for prisoners to vote in the most serious or heinous cases.

The British Parliament has decided to have a Commons vote on whether to allow prisoners to vote.

If passed, it would defy a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

British ministers said if they did not change the law they would face compensation claims from prisoners costing more than $200 million.

The British plan would allow prisoners serving less than four years a vote in the national and European elections.

The Greens went to the election with a policy that allowed prisoners to vote, while also giving judges the discretion to withdraw that right in the most serious or heinous cases.

Greens leader Nick McKim yesterday said the Greens had no plans to introduce any legislation on the matter.

In Britain, more than 28,000 prisoners have sentences of less than four years.

They include almost 6000 violent criminals, more than 1700 sex offenders, and 4300 imprisoned for drug offences.