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Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced a new type of restraining order to reduce the likelihood of victims of serious violent or sexual crimes having unwanted contact with their attackers. 

Ms Collins says the new order, to be created under the Harassment Act, will close a number of loopholes in existing legislation and will help victims feel safer.

“It’s unacceptable to have a situation where a victim of serious crime may have unwanted contact with their attacker.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins is looking forward to hosting members of New Zealand’s Indian community at Parliament tonight to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. 

Ms Collins says the festival’s growing popularity in New Zealand reflects the appeal of Indian culture as much as it does our vibrant Indian population.

“Diwali showcases India’s colour and energy and allows members of the Indian community to share their story with us,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today released the first results against the Better Public Services (BPS) targets for the justice sector which show almost 3,000 fewer violent crimes over the past year.

Better Public Services targets for the justice sector are to reduce the total recorded crime rate by 15 per cent, the recorded violent crime rate by 20 per cent, the youth crime rate by 5 per cent and the reoffending rate by 25 per cent by 2017.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has tabled the Electoral Commission’s final report on the MMP voting system in Parliament today.

The Commission conducted the independent review following last November’s referendum on the voting system, in which the majority of voters chose to keep MMP. The Commission released a list of possible changes in August, and received more than 1,000 submissions on the proposals.

In its final report the Electoral Commission has recommended several changes to the MMP system. The main recommendations are:

Auckland District Court, 65-69 Albert Street, Auckland Central

Good morning and welcome to the official launch of New Zealand's first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court pilot.

It's great to be here to mark the start of this exciting new initiative.

The AODT Court will have its first sitting in the Waitakere and Auckland District Courts next week.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for their commitment to getting this pilot off the ground.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today officially launched New Zealand's first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court in Auckland.

Ms Collins says the five-year pilot Court will sit for one day a week in both the Auckland and Waitakere District Courts and aims to help 100 offenders each year deal with the underlying addiction issues that have fuelled their offending.

ACC Minister Judith Collins announced today that free after-hours doctor’s visits for under six-year-olds will be extended to visits covered by ACC.

Ms Collins says ACC will work with GP networks and after-hours clinics to extend the free medical care, aiming to have the new arrangement in place by 19 December 2012.

“The Government is focussed on improving child injury outcomes. Parents shouldn’t be put off taking their young children to the doctor because of the cost.

Justice Minister Judith Collins departs today for a week-long visit to the United States of America where she will discuss a range of justice policy issues with her counterparts there.

Ms Collins’ visit will include meetings with the US Attorney General, Eric H. Holder, Jr., who heads the Department of Justice, and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, who visited New Zealand earlier this year.

Justice Minister Judith Collins rejects comments made today by the former chair of the Expert Reference Group on Family Court reform, Antony Mahon.

Ms Collins says recommendations made by the Expert Reference Group have been helpful in forming the Government’s proposals for reform, but they are not the only basis for the reforms.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today announced changes to the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill to incorporate the benefits gained by reforming the Family Court.

In February this year, the Government asked the Justice and Electoral Select Committee to defer its consideration of the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill until after the completion of the Family Court review, which was announced in August.

Justice Minister Judith Collins will travel to Australia today to meet with her Australian counterparts in Melbourne and Brisbane.

In Melbourne, Ms Collins will visit Victoria Legal Aid’s offices and meet with The Honourable Diana Bryant AO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

“I am keen to understand how Victoria Legal Aid’s salaried lawyers operate in their Family Court to see if a similar advocacy service could work in New Zealand,” Ms Collins said.

ACC Minister Judith Collins has today congratulated Emeritus Professor John Langley for his lifetime contribution to injury prevention.

Ms Collins presented Professor Langley with a special award at the 2012 Safety conference in Wellington for his leadership and support in helping build world class injury prevention research, policy and practice.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank Professor Langley for the significant contribution he has made in raising the profile and capability of injury prevention both in New Zealand and overseas, Ms Collins said. 

Thank you for the invitation to address you this afternoon.

It’s great to be here.

Preventing injuries is a complex task and we know the challenges associated with injury prevention are universal.

In this room, we have delegates from across the globe – from our neighbours in Australia and the Pacific, from the United States, from Europe, Japan, Malaysia, India, and Jamaica.

Welcome.

I’m delighted that the Safety 2012 Conference is being held here in Wellington.

ACC Minister Judith Collins and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today announced the Government’s plans to introduce a Safety Star Rating system to make the good safety records of businesses more visible.

Ms Collins says the voluntary system, currently being developed by ACC and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will encourage injury prevention and more effective workplace health and safety practice.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has introduced legislation to reduce stress and anxiety for victims of crime by cutting back on up to 800 unnecessary parole hearings for offenders each year.

A bill that protects the safety and privacy of jurors and streamlines the jury system has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Act better protects jurors by restricting access to jurors’ addresses on panel records.

The Government moved to tighten access to jurors’ information after convicted murderer George Baker wrote to a juror whose name he saw on a list while representing himself in a trial.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed today’s release of six-monthly data on appearances and actions within the Youth Court, and criminal and sentencing data for the District and High Court.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced three appointments to the Liquor Licensing Authority. 

Judith Moorhead, David Major and Ross Miller have been appointed for a term of five years.

“These members bring vast decision making experience to the work of the Authority,” Ms Collins said.

Judith Moorhead is an Auckland barrister and has been reappointed having been a member of the Authority since 2007.

Justice Minister Judith Collins introduced legislation to Parliament today that creates special orders to better protect the public from serious sexual or violent offenders. 

The Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill will allow the High Court to order offenders who pose a very high risk of imminent and serious sexual or violent offending after they are released from jail, to be detained.

Public Protection Orders (PPOs) would see offenders held in a secure facility until the High Court is convinced they are safe for release.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced an extra $1million each year to extend the Victims Centre project until June 2014.

The Centre, created within the Ministry of Justice in 2011, helps victims access the resources and support services they need from Government agencies.

“Navigating the justice system hasn’t always been as straightforward and supportive as it could be for victims of crime,” Ms Collins says.

A bill that makes offending against a law enforcement officer, health or fire emergency services first responder an aggravating factor at sentencing has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the new law sends a clear message that offending against our first responders will not be tolerated.

“Our police, prison officers, ambulance staff, paramedics, doctors, nurses and fire fighters put their own lives at risk every day to rescue, save and protect their fellow New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.

Good morning,

Thank you for inviting me to speak today. It’s great to be here.

I’d particularly like to acknowledge New Zealand Institute of Liquor Licensing Inspectors President Murray Clearwater, who I met with in June to hear the Institute’s views on alcohol law reform.

I have met with a range of people interested in reforming our alcohol laws since taking over responsibility for the Alcohol Reform Bill and have been impressed by the industry’s professionalism and expertise.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today acknowledged a High Court decision dismissing an application for judicial review into a new system for how criminal legal aid work is paid.

The Criminal Bar Association sought a judicial review of the criminal fixed fees system in February this year. The application was heard in May, and a judgment was released on Friday by Justice Simon France.

Ms Collins said she expected the decision would clear the way for the Ministry of Justice and the legal profession to work together to implement changes to the legal aid system.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced a new Chair and new members for the ACC Board, reflecting the Government’s priorities for the highest standards of best practice and service, and rebuilding the public’s trust and confidence in the corporation.

“My appointments today underline the Government’s commitment to genuine culture change, and will lead to a more balanced and comprehensive approach to the governance and operation of ACC.