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The Government has secured broad-based support for the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill, and intends to pass it before the election, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.

The bill contains the most significant reforms of criminal procedure in 50 years which will modernise and speed up the criminal justice system.

"I have been negotiating with other political parties over some elements of the bill since it was reported back from the select committee, and I'm delighted I now have broader-based support for it.

Justice Minister Simon Power today announced that the final stage of DNA expansion, under the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Act 2009, will take effect from 5 December.

The expansion of DNA has been in two stages to ensure Police had time to finalise training and guidelines, and to enable Environmental Science and Research to prepare for an increased workload.

Phase 1, which came in last September, allowed Police to take DNA at the time of arrest, as opposed to after conviction.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced proposals to simplify the financial reporting framework for small and medium-sized businesses and registered charities.

The proposed reforms follow on from a review of the financial reporting framework which found that the framework was overly costly and not meeting users’ needs or expectations.

Justice Minister Simon Power welcomed the passing last night of the second reading of a bill to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect.

The Crimes Amendment Bill (No 2) creates a new offence of failing to take reasonable steps to protect a child or vulnerable adult from the risk of death, grievous bodily harm, or sexual assault, with a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today welcomed the unanimous passing of legislation that cuts compliance costs for businesses while cracking down on people who import and sell counterfeit goods.

Mr Power said the two bills, which make up the Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, are designed to cut compliance costs and make our trade marks system work better.

“The sale of counterfeit goods is a growing problem which is hurting the productivity and financial viability of businesses.

Justice Minister Simon Power and Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today visited the Nga Hau e Wha Marae in Bromley, which is being used as a temporary courthouse following the Canterbury earthquakes.

The marae has been hearing both criminal and family matters since April, and is one of several interim court facilities operating while the main court buildings are unable to be reoccupied.

Justice Minister Simon Power and Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia have today announced the appointment of Paul Gibson as a part-time Human Rights Commissioner responsible for disability issues.

Mr Power said Mr Gibson, who was until recently the senior disability adviser at Capital and Coast District Health Board, brings a wealth of experience and skills to the newly created role.

“Mr Gibson has been a strong advocate for disability rights. He has extensive experience in leadership roles in disability policy, management, and governance.”

Justice Minister Simon Power and Corrections Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the rollout of court audio-visual links (AVL) to Hamilton.

The Hamilton AVL facility links Hamilton District Court with Waikeria Prison and is the second of four court/correction facilities to receive the technology.

AVL allows prisoners to appear in court by video link rather than in person. It is used mainly for procedural hearings, such as list appearances, call-overs, and bail hearings. It can also be used for trials, but only with the consent of the defendant.

Cabinet has approved regulations to support the licensing regime for trustees and statutory supervisors, Commerce Minister Simon Power announced today.

The Securities Trustees and Statutory Supervisors Act 2011 creates a licensing regime for all corporate trustees, including trustees of non-restricted KiwiSaver schemes and supervisors of retirement villages.

Cabinet has agreed to establish an expert forum to consider the effectiveness of further restrictions on advertising and sponsorship to reduce alcohol-related harm, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

The announcement comes at the same time as the Justice and Electoral Committee reports the Alcohol Reform Bill back to Parliament.

The Government welcomes the Justice and Electoral Committee’s report on the Alcohol Reform Bill, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.

“The Government always said the Alcohol Reform Bill was Parliament’s starting point for alcohol law reform and that we’d listen carefully to what people said during select committee consideration of the bill,” Mr Power said.

Justice Minister Simon Power today released figures showing 2,091 grants and services for victims of serious crime and their families were paid out in the first year of the $50 Offender Levy.

Since July last year, the levy has been imposed on all convicted offenders at the time of sentencing, regardless of the crime they commit. The levy is collected after reparation but before fines, and is in addition to any sentence or court order.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced the appointment of Carl Blanchard and David Flacks as members of the Takeovers Panel.

They have been appointed for five-year terms.

“Mr Blanchard and Mr Flacks are both highly regarded in their sectors,” Mr Power said.

“They bring real-world experience and will strengthen the panel’s existing expertise.”

Mr Power thanked Pip Greenwood and David Quigg, who retired from the panel this month, for their contributions.

Background

Justice Minister Simon Power today announced the appointment of retired district court judge Bernard Kendall as the first legal aid Review Authority.

The Review Authority was established under the Legal Services Act 2011 to review decisions made by the Secretary for Justice in regard to lawyers’ applications to become or remain a legal aid lawyer.

“Judge Kendall’s extensive judicial experience will be a valuable asset to this role,” Mr Power said.

The Government today announced its plan for a multi-agency offensive on organised crime.

Strengthening New Zealand’s Resistance to Organised Crime, an All-of-Government Response, outlines a plan to disrupt criminal networks.

More than 5,000 Police Safety Orders (PSOs) were issued in the first year of their existence, Justice Minister Simon Power and Police Minister Judith Collins said today.

The orders, which came into effect on 1 July last year, allow Police to remove an alleged violent person from the home for a period of up to five days.

Police can use the new tool in situations where there is insufficient evidence to arrest but where they believe there is a likelihood of violence occurring.

Figures released for the year to July show:

Justice Minister Simon Power today welcomed the unanimous report of the Social Services Select Committee in support of a bill to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect.

The Crimes Amendment Bill (No 2) was reported back to Parliament today with only minor technical amendments, after the committee considered 39 written and 10 oral submissions.

The bill:

Commerce Minister Simon Power today welcomed the publication of information to help people comply with new copyright laws which will come into effect on 1 September.

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act 2011 repeals the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Act and replaces it with a three-notice regime to deter illegal file sharing.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced the appointment of Sir Bruce Robertson as chair of the Financial Advisers Disciplinary Committee.

“I'm pleased to be able to appoint someone as capable and experienced as Sir Bruce to lead this committee,” Mr Power said.
Sir Bruce has been a member of the committee since its establishment last year, serving as acting chair since the resignation of David Mayhew in February.

Justice Minister Simon Power is encouraging the public to have their say on a bill which is designed to get the legal aid growth curve under control while ensuring access to justice.

The Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today and has been sent to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee for public submissions.

A bill that improves the sharing of personal information between agencies was introduced to Parliament today by Justice Minister Simon Power.

The Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill responds to the Law Commission’s review of the Privacy Act in regards to information sharing.

Mr Power said the bill aims to improve the rules around the collection, storage, and use of person information while ensuring there are safeguards in place to protect an individual’s right to privacy.

The bill:

Photographs and drawings will be allowed to be submitted in Victim Impact Statements as part of an overhaul of victims rights, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

The provision is included in the wide-ranging Victims of Crime Reform Bill which was introduced to Parliament today.

On Victim Impact Statements, the bill:

Justice Minister Simon Power today welcomed Parliament’s unanimous passing of a law to protect child victims of family violence.

The Child and Family Protection Bill (which was split into three bills for third reading) focuses on keeping children safe where there have been instances of family violence in the home, and improves the responsiveness of the Family Court to those victims.

“Children are our most vulnerable members of society and deserve special protection,” Mr Power said

The Child and Family Protection Bill:

Justice Minister Simon Power today welcomed the completion of the Government’s reform of the electoral system, after Parliament voted unanimously to pass the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2).

“I’m pleased that the Government’s electoral law reform programme, including the rewrite of controversial electoral finance laws, has attracted the wide support of Parliament,” Mr Power said.

“Such cross-party support will help to ensure New Zealand’s electoral laws are enduring.”