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Justice Minister Judith Collins today released the latest justice sector Better Public Services (BPS) target results to December 2012, showing significant progress is being made against each target.

Ms Collins says results show there has been a 9 per cent reduction in total crime rate (down from 983 to 891 crimes per 10,000 people) and a 7 per cent reduction in violent crime (down from 109 to 102 crimes per 10,000 people).

Youth crime is also down 14 per cent (down from 332 to 286 per 10,000 young people) and re-offending is down by 8 per cent.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today unveiled the Government’s proposals towards modernising the legal framework for many of New Zealand’s courts.

The proposals are in response to recommendations made by the Law Commission in its recent report Review of the Judicature Act 1908: Towards a new Courts Act.

Ms Collins says the changes will help enhance public confidence in the justice system.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill, which passed its second reading in Parliament today, is another step towards a fairer and more sustainable legal aid system.

“This Bill reinforces access to justice. It strikes the best balance between ensuring the financial viability of the legal aid system, and ensuring the most vulnerable people in society are protected.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Dr Jackie Blue as the Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner.

“I congratulate Dr Blue on her appointment as EEO Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission,” Ms Collins says.

“The EEO Commissioner has an important role to play in championing EEO principles, issues and practices in New Zealand as well as appreciating their relationship to social, economic and labour market trends.

Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today the Government will provide an additional $12.1 million in funding for community law centres (CLCs).

The Government top-up over the next two years will bridge a significant on-going shortfall in community law centres’ funding.

Ms Collins says the gap is the result of the CLCs’ traditional source of funding, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund, halving since 2008.

“I’m very pleased the Government has been able to provide CLCs with certainty for the next two years,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today paid tribute to the late former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“Baroness Thatcher was a highly intelligent, brave, formidable woman who led Britain from what were very difficult times to greater prosperity and economic certainty,” Ms Collins says.

“She was Britain’s first, and remains the only, female Prime Minister, a wife and doting mother and grandmother.

“I respect her for being a woman of conviction who stood firmly for individuals, families and for Britain.

The Government is seeking public feedback on proposals for Inland Revenue to share some information with other government agencies to help fight serious crime, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne, Justice Minister Judith Collins and Police Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today tabled in Parliament the Law Commission’s report The 2013 Review of the Evidence Act 2006.

“I would like to thank the Law Commission for its thorough review of the Evidence Act 2006,” Ms Collins said.

The review builds on the earlier work that resulted in the 2006 Act. The new report provides a comprehensive summary of the evolution and interpretation of the law of evidence in New Zealand.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced a raft of new proposals to hold cyber bullies to account for their bullying and harmful online behaviour.

“I am pleased to have developed a set of measures that aim to stop the growing incidence of cyber bullying and its devastating effects, particularly for young people.

“Many New Zealanders share my serious concerns about this problem as the reach and impact of bullying has increased considerably in the digital age.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has tabled in Parliament today the Law Commission’s report on regulation of the news media in the digital age.

The report, The News Media Meets ‘New Media’: Rights, Responsibilities and Regulation in the Digital Age, provides the Law Commission’s recommendations for updating laws regulating our media for the digital era.

The Government will examine the report’s recommendations and seek views from the media industry before formally responding to the report later this year.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Justice today show the number of people being charged in court has reduced by more than 20 per cent since 2009, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

The Conviction and Sentencing Statistics, published on the Statistics New Zealand website, show 98,783 people appeared in court in 2012, down 7 per cent from 2011 and 22 per cent from 2009.

Justice Minister Judith Collins is pleased to announce the appointment of Dame Susan Devoy DNZM, CBE as the new Race Relations Commissioner.

“Dame Susan is a proud New Zealander who is highly motivated to contribute positively to New Zealand society.

“Her communication and relationship management skills, coupled with experience working with diverse groups, are key areas of strength.

The Langham Hotel, Auckland

Good morning.

Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.

On behalf of the Government, I welcome all the international attendees to New Zealand, and to Auckland.

It’s great to see you here.

This morning I will talk briefly about what we’re doing in New Zealand to drive excellence and innovation in the courts.

Our justice and courts system is one of our greatest assets.

Justice and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the latest report of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on New Zealand’s progress at tackling racial discrimination and inequality.

Ms Collins presented to the Committee on behalf of the New Zealand Government at a two-day meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21 and 22 February.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced New Zealand will support a UK-led initiative to prevent sexual violence in armed conflict and post-conflict situations.

“Sexual violence is an abhorrent crime, which too often stands in the way of conflict resolution,” says Ms Collins.

Legislation to improve information sharing between agencies that deliver public services has passed its final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the new laws will clarify and improve the rules around how government agencies share personal information, while ensuring safeguards are in place to protect individual’s privacy.

“These changes pave the way for better services for all New Zealanders, from improving our ability to protect vulnerable children, to reducing duplication and information handling costs.

During her visit to London next week, Judith Collins will present New Zealand Police citations to members of the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police Service who helped with the Canterbury Earthquake response in 2011.

“The 2011 Canterbury Earthquake Citation is a unique award that recognises the unwavering spirit, actions and outstanding contribution of those who worked on the ground in Christchurch during the 2011 state of emergency,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of three new members to the Human Rights Review Tribunal panel.

“I am pleased to announce the new panel members are Gillian Goodwin, Deborah Hart, and Katherine Anderson, all appointed for a five year term.

“Each of the new members brings valuable experience to their role. They will contribute significantly to the work of the Tribunal,” Ms Collins said.

Justice and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins leaves tomorrow for Geneva, London and Vienna to meet with political counterparts and United Nations officials.

In Geneva, Ms Collins will present the Government’s latest report on New Zealand’s progress in tackling racial discrimination and inequality to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced legislation will be introduced to Parliament today to clear the way for changes to laws dictating the line of succession to the throne.

The Royal Succession Bill allows an elder daughter to precede a younger son in the line of succession, meaning the order of succession to the throne will no longer be based on gender.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government is looking to improve the legislation and processes that govern the openness and transparency of public agencies.

The Government’s response to recommendations in the Law Commission’s recent review of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) was tabled in Parliament today.

“The Law Commission found that the legislation’s underlying principles are sound and are fundamentally working well,” says Ms Collins.

Cabinet has agreed to a formal request from David Bain to delay its consideration of his application for compensation for claimed wrongful conviction and imprisonment, says Justice Minister Judith Collins.

“Mr Bain is not entitled to any compensation as his application falls outside Cabinet guidelines. The process for considering Mr Bain’s application and any decision regarding compensation is entirely at Cabinet’s discretion.

“Cabinet has agreed to put Mr Bain’s application on hold, as he has requested.

Cabinet has been updated on Mr Bain’s application for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment at its meeting today, says Justice Minister Judith Collins.

“I have updated my colleagues on the status of Mr Bain’s application. Cabinet has not made any decision on the next steps for the application.

“As Mr Bain’s application falls outside the Cabinet guidelines, Mr Bain has no entitlement to compensation. Any decision regarding compensation is entirely at Cabinet’s discretion,” Ms Collins said.