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Justice Minister Judith Collins says mediation, as part the of the Government’s Family Court reforms, will help provide fast and efficient resolution of private disputes so the Court may focus on the most serious cases.

“The Government’s proposed Family Disputes Resolution (FDR) service will offer expert mediation for all couples to help resolve relationship problems affecting their children before they apply to come before the court,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the Government’s response to the Justice and Electoral Committee’s report on the 2011 General Election.

Ms Collins says she is pleased that there was a very high degree of consensus among Committee members on the report’s 32 recommendations.

“The Government will now work through the recommendations and where practicable, make changes before the 2014 General Election,” Ms Collins says.

Measures to protect New Zealanders while also making trade and travel easier were agreed at a Ministerial meeting that concluded in United States today, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Ms Collins attended the meeting alongside her ministerial counterparts from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

“Building on long-standing, successful cooperation between our countries, we explored ways our nations can continue to work together on law enforcement and security issues that will help keep New Zealanders safe,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins will travel to the United States today to attend a ministerial meeting with her counterparts from Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Ms Collins says the meeting builds on a long history of cooperation between the countries on issues of law enforcement and security.

“Globally we are more connected, with greater international travel and online trade and business,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced New Plymouth lawyer John Auld as the new Chairperson of the Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA).

The REAA is an independent Crown entity that regulates New Zealand’s real estate industry, promotes a high standard of service and professionalism in the industry and helps protect buyers and sellers of property.

“I congratulate Mr Auld on his appointment as Chair,” Ms Collins says.

The Legal Assistance Amendment Bill, which focuses on improving the legal aid system, passed its third reading today. 

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Bill strikes the best balance between ensuring that legal aid expenditure is sustainable, and ensuring that people without the means to fund their own legal representation receive any necessary legal advice.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the Governor-General has declined Scott Watson’s application for exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy.

“After thorough consideration of all the relevant material, I advised the Governor-General that Mr Watson’s application be declined,” Ms Collins says.

Mr Watson was convicted of murdering Ben Smart and Olivia Hope who were last seen boarding a yacht in Endeavour Inlet, in the Marlborough Sounds, in the early hours of 1 January 1998.

The latest justice sector Better Public Service results - showing a continued drop in total crime, youth crime and reoffending – highlight this Government’s commitment to keeping New Zealanders safe, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Result 7: Reduce the rates of total crime, violent crime and youth crime

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today announced the success of the safe@home programme as 300 families at risk of being re-victimised from domestic abuse are supported to stay in their own homes.

Safe@home, delivered by Auckland charity Shine and supported by the Government, helps make victims’ homes safer from attack by replacing glass panelled doors with solid doors, installing security lights, changing locks and repairing broken windows.

Government Ministers have today signed the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter to help keep workers on the rebuild safe.

The Safety Charter, developed by the Canterbury Rebuild Senior Leaders’ Group, has been signed and endorsed by 50 construction, insurance, central and local government leaders.

“Rebuilding Canterbury on time, on budget and safely is a priority for the Government. The Safety Charter is a unique document, bringing industry and government together to make this happen,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

A Bill that will make it harder for serious offenders to get bail passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Bail Amendment Bill delivers the Government’s commitment to reviewing the current bail system to improve New Zealanders’ safety.

“This Government is committed to bail laws that make New Zealand safer, protect the public, and keep victims at the heart of our criminal justice system.  These changes will help deliver on this commitment.”

A Bill clearing the way for changes to laws setting out the line of Royal succession to the throne has passed its first reading in Parliament today.

The Royal Succession Bill implements changes to the rules of succession that were agreed in 2011 by the 16 Realms who share the Queen as Head of State.

Ms Collins says the changes ensure the order of succession will no longer be based on gender, allowing an elder daughter to precede a younger son as heir to the throne.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today released a public discussion document, inviting feedback on proposed regulations needed to implement the new alcohol laws.

“These regulations will help give effect to this government’s commitment to placing tighter controls on the sale, supply and promotion of alcohol,” Ms Collins says.

“The regulations will support decision makers, enforcement officials and local communities to play their part reducing alcohol-related harm in New Zealand.”

New laws strengthening New Zealand’s financial system against serious crime take effect from this Sunday 30 June.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) will make New Zealand safer by helping law enforcement agencies detect and deter serious crimes such as drug dealing, tax evasion and fraud.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced Auckland lawyer Sarah Roberts as the next Chair of Public Trust.

Ms Roberts replaces current Chair Trevor Janes who retires from the Board at the end of this month.

“Ms Roberts has been a member of the Public Trust Board since 2007 and her experience will ensure continuity and a smooth transition in the leadership of Public Trust,” Ms Collins said.

Another board member, Sue McCormack, will be reappointed for a second term.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the decision by the Legal Services Commissioner concerning legal aid payments for criminal defence lawyers.

The Commissioner has made interim changes to clarify when and for what reasons legal aid payments to criminal defence lawyers can be amended. The Commissioner may decide to vary the amount where cases involve significant additional work.

These changes respond to a Court of Appeal judgment last month about the implementation of the Criminal Fixed Fees policy.

ACC Minister Judith Collins has announced Mr Mark Gilbert as Chair of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MSAC).

The MSAC advises ACC, on behalf of motorcyclists, how to invest funds collected through the Motorcycle Safety Levy, paid as part of the motorcycle relicensing process.

“I congratulate Mr Gilbert on his appointment. Mr Gilbert is a passionate motorcyclist, is well respected within the motorcycling industry and has an extensive understanding of manufacturing and distribution of motorcycles in New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the Government will adopt a range of recommendations to better attack international and domestic organised crime networks, as part of the All of Government Response to Organised Crime.

“Eradicating organised crime is one of the major law and order priorities of this Government,” Ms Collins says.

“Although our Government consistently ranks as the most transparent and least corrupt in the World, we cannot afford to be complacent.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says local communities now have a greater say in the availability of alcohol in their neighbourhoods.

Giving communities greater scope to object to liquor licence applications is the first step in the implementation of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

“Many New Zealanders are concerned by the misuse of alcohol in our society and the damage they see it causing,” Ms Collins says.

The Government is seeking public feedback on proposals for a new risk-based system for setting fees to more fairly and fully cover the costs of alcohol licensing.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Ministry of Justice has released a public discussion document today proposing a risk-based fees system where the liquor outlets that pose higher risks and generate higher costs pay a higher fee.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today launched the Hutt Valley Mobile Community Office, a specially fitted-out van that will deliver justice, health and social services to the Hutt Valley.

The Government has introduced a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) to the Legal Assistance Amendment Bill during the Committee of the Whole House stage debate on the Bill at Parliament today. 

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Supplementary Order Paper makes minor but necessary changes to clarify procedures around granting legal aid.

“Administrative changes will allow the Legal Services Commissioner to process applications for certain criminal cases electronically.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced that money seized from drug crime will be allocated to Government agencies to directly fight crime and drug addiction.

“As part of our 2009 Methamphetamine Action Plan, we made a commitment that money taken from those who profit from drugs would be used to hit the drug trade and reduce the harm from drugs,” Ms Collins says.

“We’re sending a clear message that this Government is serious about tackling drugs, particularly methamphetamine, and the harm they cause in our communities.”

A Bill to ensure victims of crime can continue to seek a share of financial compensation received by prisoners passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill makes permanent the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005, which would otherwise expire on 30 June this year.