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Justice Minister Judith Collins will travel to Canberra today to attend a meeting of the Standing Council of Law and Justice (SCLJ) on 12-13 April.

The SCLJ is comprised of the Attorneys-General of Australia, its states and territories, and New Zealand's Minister of Justice. Norfolk Island has observer status at SCLJ meetings.

Ministers will hear presentations and discussions on law and justice related issues and have the opportunity to put forward their representation’s perspective.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the Government will repeal and re-enact the Privacy Act 1993 following its review by the Law Commission.

The Commission’s recent report Review of the Privacy Act 1993 made over 100 recommendations for reform and the Government will consider those recommendations as part of its wider reform of privacy.

A bill giving clarity and certainty to outdated search and surveillance provisions has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the new Search and Surveillance Act 2012 brings “order, certainty, clarity and consistency” to messy, unclear and outdated search and surveillance laws. The Act follows a 2007 Law Commission report that recommended search and surveillance powers be consolidated and updated.

A new law making it an offence to stay silent when it is known that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of death, grievous bodily harm or sexual assault takes effect today.

The Crimes Amendment Act (No 3) 2011, passed in September last year, strengthens provisions in the Crimes Act 1961 particularly in relation to violent and sexual offending.

Ms Collins says children are the most vulnerable members of our society and deserve special protection.

Bill strengthens journalists’ ability to protect sources

A Bill to modernise and clarify search and surveillance laws would also significantly improve journalists’ ability to protect the identity of their sources by enhancing ‘journalistic privilege’ in New Zealand law.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Search and Surveillance Bill recognises the media’s important role in a free and democratic society.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today released a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) that contains proposed amendments to the Search and Surveillance Bill, which passed its second reading last week.

The Search and Surveillance Bill aims to bring “order, certainty, clarity and consistency” to messy, unclear and outdated search and surveillance laws, following a 2007 Law Commission report that recommended search and surveillance powers be consolidated and updated.

The Search and Surveillance Bill and the SOP are expected to be debated by Parliament later this week.

Offenders will find it harder to get name suppression from the courts from today as the first group provisions in the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 come into force.

Justice Minister Judith Collins said these provisions, which were passed late last year, represent a substantial reform to criminal procedure.

Justice Minister Judith Collins officially opened the Tauranga Public Defence Service (PDS) office today.

The PDS provides an in house legal aid service, through the use of salaried staff who work along side contracted legal aid lawyers.

“The Public Defence Service is an important component of the cost-effective, high quality legal aid system this Government is working towards,” Ms Collins said.

A bill to boost the tools available to law enforcement agencies to fight crime has passed its second reading.

Justice Minister Judith Collins said the Search and Surveillance Bill, when passed, will ensure the rights of people being searched or monitored are respected.

“The Bill brings search and surveillance powers up to date with 21st century technology while still safeguarding human rights,” Ms Collins said.

Minister Responsible for the Law Commission Judith Collins announced today that Hon Dr Wayne Mapp has been appointed as a new member of the Law Commission.

“Wayne Mapp is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. He has many years experience across a wide range of legal issues, in particular, he has a strong interest in commercial and international law.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has asked the Justice and Electoral Committee to defer consideration of the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill, until completion of the Family Court Review.

“Many of the changes in the Bill relate to family matters and it would make more sense to align and take into account decisions arising from the Family Court Review,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today urged people who have used the Family Court to submit their views on how to improve its services before the Family Court Review closes at the end of the month.

The review aims to ensure the court effectively meets the needs of users and that services are cost-effective and affordable.

“The Family Court can play an important role in New Zealanders’ lives during difficult times, so it’s critical the system is working well for the families and vulnerable people who use it,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins is urging New Zealanders to take part in this year’s review of the MMP voting system, launched today by the Electoral Commission.

“New Zealand voted to keep MMP in last November’s referendum on the voting system, and now the Electoral Commission is undertaking a review of how MMP works,” said Ms Collins.

“I strongly encourage all New Zealanders to take part and have their say in this important process, and to suggest any improvements they’d like to see made to our MMP voting system.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the first reading of a bill to improve information sharing between public service agencies.

Ms Collins said the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill will improve the rules around the collection, storage, and use of personal information while ensuring there are safeguards in place to protect an individual’s right to privacy.

A bill which makes offending against Police and Corrections officers an aggravating factor at sentencing passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill shows the Government is taking assaults against Police and Corrections officers seriously, by requiring the courts to specifically consider this as an aggravating factor in sentencing offenders.