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Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will travel to Sydney tomorrow to address the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Women’s Conference.

The Conference is part of the GOPIO Biennial Convention and provides opportunity for women of Indian ethnicity to network and address current, critical issues confronting women of all ages globally.

“All women, including those of Indian descent, have played and will continue to play an important role in New Zealand’s story,” Ms Collins says.

Registrations are now open for New Zealand’s first Muslim World Forum and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins is encouraging Kiwis of all ethnicities to take part.

“The Forum provides a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders who are interested to connect, explore contemporary issues and celebrate New Zealand’s diversity,” Ms Collins says.

“Participants will have the chance to discuss challenges the Muslim community may face and find solutions to support Muslim Kiwis to be active and engaged members of New Zealand society.”

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will host Diwali celebrations at Parliament tonight and says the event is one of many examples of New Zealand embracing Indian culture.

“It’s a privilege to be hosting this evening’s Diwali celebration for our Indian community. It’s especially significant that the event will be held at Parliament, New Zealand’s decision making centre,” says Ms Collins.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Andrew Little’s claim that the Government introduced the Harmful Digital Communications Bill in response to recent allegations of sexual predatory behaviour is wrong.

“In May 2012 I asked the Law Commission to fast-track its recommendations for reducing the harm caused by cyber bullying as part of its broader review of media regulation.

“In August 2012 this Government welcomed the Commission’s report on new media outlining recommendations to address cyber bullying.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the first reading in Parliament of a bill strengthening the role and structure of the Human Rights Commission. 

The Human Rights Amendment Bill amends the Human Rights Act 1993 to change the composition, governance arrangements, functions and powers of the Commission.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the introduction of a new Bill to Parliament today aims to stop cyber bullies in their tracks.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the introduction of a new Bill to Parliament today aims to stop cyber bullies in their tracks.

“No longer is bullying confined to the classroom or playground – the digital age has meant tormenters can harass their target anywhere, at any time and the trails of abuse remain in cyberspace forever,” Ms Collins says. 

“The Harmful Digital Communications Bill sends a strong message to those who continue to harass and harm others online – time’s up.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced a number of changes to the Board of Public Trust. 

Current Member Fiona Oliver will be elevated to the vacant Deputy Chair position, having served on the Board since 2009. 

“Ms Oliver’s funds management and financial services experience has proved of great value during her tenure, and I believe she will provide strong support for the Chair,” Ms Collins says.

It is a privilege to be invited to address the China Executive Leadership Academy today.

New Zealand has a strong and growing relationship with China, and I welcome China’s continuous interest in the New Zealand experience. You have asked me to share with you today, the New Zealand model and experience of building a clean government.

Over the years, New Zealand and China have enjoyed many high level exchanges as we continuously further our relationship and build our understanding of each other’s models and experiences in a globalised world.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the stamp of approval given by an international body to New Zealand's anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body that sets policies and standards on anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing (AML/CFT), has removed New Zealand from its follow-up assessment list.

“I’m pleased our framework for dealing with such crimes has received a stamp of approval from international experts and FATF members,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins leaves tomorrow for China and Singapore to meet with her ministerial counterparts, officials and practitioners in public and private law.

Ms Collins will meet Chinese Minister of Justice Ms Wu Aiying in Beijing and discuss reforms to New Zealand’s court system and criminal procedure.

The Ministers will discuss the established Asia Pacific Regional Office of the Hague Conference. Based in Hong Kong, the Office was established late last year to attract more countries in the area to become members of the Conference.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government’s comprehensive approach to fighting all forms of organised crime will help safeguard New Zealand’s economy, international reputation and public safety.

This month a number of international bodies are evaluating New Zealand’s compliance with international standards related to financial crimes – including the OECD, which will report on New Zealand’s compliance with an international convention to combat bribery of foreign public officials.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the Australasian consortium of Warren and Mahoney, Cox and Opus Architecture as lead architect on Christchurch’s Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

“The precinct is the largest multi-agency government project in New Zealand’s history,” Ms Collins says.

ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming the start of ACC’s Safety Week today to help raise awareness of safety risks and promote safer practices.

Ms Collins says this year’s Safety Week forms part of a wider rejuvenation of ACC’s injury prevention strategy.

“I’ve encouraged the corporation to put a greater, more evidence based focus on injury prevention because I know it has the capability to be more than just an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” Ms Collins says.

New laws aimed at resolving trans-Tasman legal disputes more effectively were launched by Australian Attorney-General George Brandis and New Zealand’s Justice Minister Judith Collins in Sydney this evening.

“Trans-Tasman proceedings arrangements between New Zealand and Australia introduce a range of measures to make a trans-Tasman court case more like a case between people in the same country,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says a Memorandum of Understanding between New Zealand and Australia would improve the process through which New Zealand Police access Australian deportation and conviction information.

Ms Collins discussed the development of an MOU with new Minister of Justice for Australia, Hon Michael Keenan, today as part of a meeting of the Standing Council on Law and Justice (SCLJ) in Sydney.

New Zealand’s criminal justice system has robust safeguards against miscarriages of justice through the appeals process and the Royal prerogative of mercy, says Justice Minister Judith Collins.

“It’s perhaps inevitable that following decisions on high profile criminal cases there are calls for changes to New Zealand’s review process in the criminal justice system,” Ms Collins says.

“Successive governments have considered setting up a Criminal Cases Review Commission but none have progressed the idea.

Justice Minister Judith Collins will attend a meeting of the Standing Council of Law and Justice (SCLJ) with her Australian counterparts in Sydney this week.

SCLJ is an Australian Ministerial Council comprising of the Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, its states and territories, and New Zealand's Minister of Justice. Norfolk Island has observer status at SCLJ meetings.

Ms Collins says SCLJ provides a forum for Ministers to discuss and progress matters of mutual interest and focuses on initiatives that require co-operation between jurisdictions.

ACC Minister Judith Collins says ACC’s commitment to client rehabilitation and sound investment has allowed the Corporation to make excellent progress, as shown in ACC’s 2013 annual report.

“ACC’s primary role is to reduce injuries and to help the injured return to independence. The Corporation’s latest annual report shows ACC is making strong progress against its key objectives,” Ms Collins says.

The Corporation has achieved a $4.9 billion surplus for the 2012/2013 financial year – $3.6 billion ahead of budget.

ACC Minister Judith Collins says that ACC has a commitment to injury prevention that is both effective and cost efficient.

“The Council of Trade Unions’ (CTU) published annual accounts show the CTU has been paid up to $1.3 million (highest year was 2009) each year by ACC. In 2012 the total paid to CTU under three contracts was $669,000,” Ms Collins says.

“In the biggest contract shown in CTU accounts, ACC pays the CTU to provide training to health and safety representatives that large employers (over 30 staff) are legally obliged to have.

The citizens initiated referendum on the Mixed Ownership Model will be held as a postal vote in November and December this year after a petition regarding the Mixed Ownership Model was signed by 10 per cent of eligible voters. 

The referendum will ask whether New Zealanders support the Government’s sale of up to 49 per cent of Meridian, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government is required to hold the referendum by September 2014, which will be overseen by the Electoral Commission.

New Zealand businesses could learn from the diversity of the New Zealand-China relationship, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins told an assembly at Chinese National Day celebrations last night.

“Diversity gives the New Zealand-China relationship real strength, and it gives me great confidence that our partnership will continue to expand and thrive,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Andrew Little’s claim she will impose a three month deadline on court judgments is wrong.

“There has never been any suggestion from me or the Law Commission to impose a three-month deadline on judgments,” Ms Collins says.

In its report ‘Review of the Judicature Act 1908’ The Law Commission suggested monthly reporting of all reserved judgments.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has outlined further proposals to modernise and bring New Zealand’s courts into the 21st Century.

Following the Government’s response to the Law Commission’s review of the Judicature Act 1908 earlier this year, the proposals aim to improve the flexibility, responsiveness and transparency of New Zealand’s court system.

“Our court system is one of the last areas of the public sector still operating a paper-based model,” Ms Collins says.