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I’d like to acknowledge Labour MP Lianne Dalziel, Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard, FMA chief executive Sean Hughes and the FMA board, members of the FMA Establishment Board, and members of the board of Infinz. It's a pleasure to be here at this event again.

My thanks to Infinz for the invitation to speak at an awards ceremony which celebrates excellence and achievement in the finance industry.

Cabinet has agreed to pay compensation to Phillip Johnston and Jaden Knight for their wrongful conviction and imprisonment in 2004, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

The men were jointly tried and convicted in 2004 for the arson of the Manawatu Hotel in Foxton. In 2005 their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal, and retrials ordered after the court found the trial judge’s summing up lacked adequate direction to the jury.

A bill which strengthens the Crimes Act to protect children from violence, sexual offending, and neglect passed its first reading in Parliament last night with wide support.

“The Crimes Amendment Bill (No2) recognises that children are among the most vulnerable members of society and deserve special protection,” Justice Minister Simon Power said.

“The bill creates a new offence, with a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, for failing to protect a child or vulnerable adult from serious harm by a member of the same household as the victim.

Thank you for inviting me to open your symposium today.

I’d like to acknowledge the Counselling Services Centre, Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP, and Rape Prevention Education for hosting this symposium.

As many of you will know, I’m retiring from politics at the election, so this is probably the last time I’ll speak to you as a sector.

I’d like to begin by expressing my appreciation for the open and co-operative way in which you’ve engaged with me and my officials over the past two-and-a-half years.

Justice Minister Simon Power today announced more support for victims of sexual violence and serious crime at the Working with Sexual Violence Symposium in Auckland.

“A major priority of mine over the past two-and-a-half years has been to reform our justice system for the benefit of those who are in it through no fault of their own,” Mr Power said.

“The new entitlements I'm announcing today build on the eight entitlements and services already paid for by the $50 Offender Levy.

Families of victims killed as a result of a criminal act, such as dangerous driving causing death or careless use of a firearm causing death, will soon have access to more Government-funded support, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

“Currently there is a lack of support available to the approximately 100 families of victims killed each year as a result of a criminal act, where homicide charges are not laid,” Mr Power said.

Commerce Minister Simon Power leaves tomorrow for talks on single economic market issues with Australian Ministers, MPs, and business leaders.

He will meet Attorney-General Robert McClelland, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer David Bradbury, and MPs Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull.

“This trip follows up on my trip in September last year where I had talks with members of the new Australian Government,” Mr Power said.

The Financial Markets Authority officially opened for business today, almost a year to the day after Commerce Minister Simon Power announced its formation.

The FMA takes over the functions of the Securities Commission and Government Actuary which are being disestablished, and consolidates other regulatory functions from the Ministry of Economic Development.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today released a discussion document on the content of regulations in the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act, which became law last week.

The Act puts into place the three-notice regime to deter illegal file sharing which will come into force on 1 September.

The discussion document seeks input into regulations on:

Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu and Justice Minister Simon Power today welcomed improvements made by a public awareness programme to increase juror attendance rates.

The programme features ordinary New Zealanders, committed to making a contribution to their community by attending jury service, in a series of posters which are currently being run in community and mainstream papers, as well as on Stuff and TradeMe as website message boards.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced the appointment of Howard Duff as a member of the Testing Laboratory Registration Council, for a term of three years.

The Crown entity is responsible for accrediting testing laboratories, radiology services, and inspection bodies.

“Mr Duff understands the importance of quality systems to business to underpin safety, innovation, and trade,” Mr Power said.

“His broad professional experience will make him a valued member of the council.”

Justice Minister Simon Power today released a report on the part the Ministry of Justice played in the publication of names of some victims on the Judicial Decisions Online website.

The report was compiled by John Marshall QC, immediate past-president of the Law Society.

Mr Power asked for the report after judicial sentencing notes containing the names of sexual abuse victims were published on the Judicial Decisions Online website in breach of the statutory prohibition regarding publication of such names, or identifying particulars of complaints.

Justice Minister Simon Power today announced a package of proposals to further enhance the rights and services provided to victims of crime.

“Victims can find the criminal justice system bewildering and have expressed frustration and a sense of helplessness in the face of a system that is slow and unresponsive to their needs,” Mr Power said.

“With the State prosecuting offenders on behalf of victims and the community, victims can feel sidelined.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced Cabinet approval for the operating budget for the Financial Markets Authority, which begins operation on 1 May.

The budget for 2011/12 will be $24 million, increasing to $28 million in 2013/14 to reflect the emphasis on market intelligence, investigation and enforcement, and some additional transition costs.

The budget for 2014/15 and beyond will be about $26 million – an increase of around 44 per cent over the $18 million budget for the current regulators.

The Government is to undertake a review of New Zealand’s public prosecution services, the Attorney-General, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Police announced today.

“The review will be comprehensive, examining the organisational structures, governance, and accountability of agencies within the prosecution system, as well as their roles, functions, and processes,” said Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson, who is lead minister for the review.

Justice Minister Simon Power says outgoing Ministry of Justice Chief Executive Belinda Clark brought a high degree of professionalism to her position.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ms Clark for the past 2½ years.

"She has been at the forefront of some enormous change in the justice system.

"I appreciate the professionalism she instilled in her Ministry on a variety of fronts during that time.

Justice Minister Simon Power today released the terms of reference for the review of the Family Court.

The Family Court is the second busiest court and last year dealt with 68,666 new applications.

“The review will look at how a piecemeal approach to family law reform has impacted on the efficiency of the court, as well as ensuring it is sustainable, cost effective, and responsive to the needs to those who use it and the taxpayers who pay for it,” Mr Power said.

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced relief for earthquake-affected Cantabrians who have KiwiSaver accounts by making it easier for them to withdraw their contribution.

“Apart from the obvious physical and emotional damage, February’s earthquake has seen many people suffer financially,” Mr Power said.

“The Government was concerned that some people may have been unable to make an early withdrawal of their KiwiSaver contributions under the significant financial hardship rules of the KiwiSaver regime.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to speak at your workshop today.

I’d like to acknowledge my fellow MPs, and members of the judiciary, criminal bar, Government departments, NGOs, and the Law Commission for attending this workshop.

As you’ll be aware, I have decided to retire from politics at the election, so this will be one of the last times I speak to the sexual violence sector.

I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you over the past two-and-a-half years as Minister of Justice.

A bill that puts in place a three-notice regime to deter illegal file sharing was passed in Parliament today.

Commerce Minister Simon Power said the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill repeals Section 92A of the Copyright Act and replaces it with a new process to deal with online copyright infringements.

“This issue has a long and chequered history and I would like to thank all submitters for their help in shaping the Government’s online copyright regime.

Justice Minister Simon Power today welcomed the Justice and Electoral Committee’s unanimous report to Parliament on a bill which completes the amalgamation of electoral agencies.

The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No. 2) transfers the functions of the Chief Registrar of Electors to the Electoral Commission.

Mr Power said the establishment of the new Electoral Commission has been done in two stages to minimise the risk to the administration of November’s general election.

The Minister for SOEs, Simon Power, confirms that he has relinquished the SOEs portfolio, effective at noon today.

"This was my decision, and is based purely around my transition to private life after the election."

He says it was a necessary step to ensure there was transparency, and he considers it was his only option.

A bill to tighten juror privacy, safety, and security and address concerns regarding who can serve on juries, passed its first reading in Parliament today with unanimous support.

The Juries Amendment Bill removes the addresses of potential jurors from jury panel lists, after convicted murderer George Baker wrote to a juror whose name he saw on a list while he was representing himself in a trial.

“The Government takes the safety of jurors seriously,” Justice Minister Simon Power said.

Cabinet has agreed on a package of proposals to get the legal aid cost growth curve back under control, while ensuring access to justice for those who need it, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

“We cannot continue to ignore the substantial cost pressures the system is facing, particularly at a time when New Zealand is being forced to borrow an average of $300 million a week.”