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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.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced she is to continue defamation action against two Labour Party MPs, Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little, and Radio New Zealand, under the Defamation Act.

“Last week I sent a letter to each of the parties who have defamed me giving them an opportunity to respond.

“Mr Mallard and Mr Little have chosen not to respond, and Radio New Zealand has responded accordingly.

“The defamation occurred in relation to me carrying out my duties as Minister for ACC.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will tomorrow acknowledge the contribution ethnic people make to our country at the first of four EthnicA conferences to be held around New Zealand.

Ms Collins said our migrants and ethnic communities bring an extraordinary amount of talent and skill to our shores, and we must harness their potential.

"The Government recognises the important role ethnic and migrant communities play in boosting our country’s reputation and economic performance.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced she is taking action against two Labour Party MPs and one media organisation under the Defamation Act.

“Untrue and defamatory statements have been made about me and my conduct in relation to the handling of information I received concerning an ACC claimant.

“I value my reputation and take very seriously any accusations that I have acted improperly. This is not a course of action I take lightly.

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A bill giving clarity and certainty to outdated search and surveillance provisions has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.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

ACC levy reductions worth more than half a billion dollars a year to workers and businesses have been signed into law by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

As announced last year, ACC’s $3.5 billion surplus in 2010/11 and continuing improvements in rehabilitation rates have enabled the reduction in levies that will save households $340 million a year and businesses $247 million a year.

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.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will join members of the Chinese community to mark the most important festival on the Chinese calendar this evening.

Ms Collins will welcome Chinese community and business leaders, artists, academics, diplomats and students from around the country to Parliament to celebrate Chinese New Year.

“Tonight’s event will showcase the rich culture and heritage of our Chinese New Zealanders as they share their story with the wider community through arts and entertainment," Ms Collins said.

A new programme that aims to generate innovative solutions to reduce the number and severity of falls in the home has been launched today by ACC Minister Judith Collins.

The programme, called Idea Nation, features a series of brainstorming forums and a competition encouraging all New Zealanders to submit their falls-prevention ideas and help ACC solve this national problem.

“On the face of it, a fall might not sound too serious but every year thousands of New Zealanders from all walks of life are hurt by a fall at home," said Ms Collins.

As New Zealanders look forward to their Christmas holidays, water safety organisations are joining ACC Minister Judith Collins in urging people to stay safe in and around water this summer.

”This year 117 people have drowned already. This is 30 more than the total drowning toll last year of 87,” says Ms Collins.

“New Zealand’s drowning toll has been falling over the last 20 years, but sadly this has not continued this year leaving more than 100 families grieving the loss of a loved one.