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Justice Minister Judith Collins has officially opened a workshop for participants from Asia and the Pacific to discuss the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Auckland today.

The Rome Statute is an international treaty that establishes the international criminal court which was set up to prosecute individuals accused of genocide and other international crimes such as crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Former rugby league coach and businessman Graham Lowe ONZM, QSM has been appointed to chair a forum which will consider whether further restrictions should be placed on the marketing of alcohol.

The Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship will gather evidence and expert advice about the effectiveness of possible advertising or sponsorship controls.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Cabinet agreed to the forum in 2011 when the alcohol reform legislation was being considered by Parliament.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows has today indicated that he will be recommending that the Governor General remove Justice of the Peace Daljit Singh from office, following his conviction in the Auckland High Court for electoral fraud.

Crime and reoffending continues to fall according to the latest progress report on Better Public Service (BPS) to September 2013, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows today announced the appointment of Mr Rex Maidment as the Legal Complaints Review Officer. He also announced the reappointment of Deputy Legal Complaints Review Officer, Mr Owen Vaughan.

“Mr Maidment has been very successful as Principal Tenancy Adjudicator over the past six years and his person attributes, skills and experience will be invaluable in his new role,” says Mr Borrows.

Claims the Government will scrap the EasyVote card are wrong and irresponsible, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little made a number of misleading assertions during the second reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill in Parliament last night.

“The Bill, as reported back by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, makes no change to the EasyVote card for the 2014 general election,” Ms Collins says.

A bill to improve New Zealand’s electoral law has passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Electoral Amendment Bill implements changes following the latest parliamentary select committee review, routinely carried out after each general election.

“The changes made by this Bill will help maintain the high integrity of New Zealand’s electoral system and improve services to voters, candidates and parties,” Ms Collins says.

Measures in the Bill include:

Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, and Minister of Justice, the Hon Judith Collins MP, today announced that Australia and New Zealand employers are to have greater access to respective national criminal history checks for employment vetting purposes.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows is urging community groups with innovative ideas to tackle youth crime in their area to apply now for the Youth Crime Action Plan’s innovation fund.

The new fund, part of the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan, will provide grants to groups and organisations with new ideas for reducing youth crime.  Applications for the first round of funding close on Friday 14 February.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) recommendations on how New Zealand can continue to promote and protect domestic human rights.

Ms Collins presented New Zealand’s second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on our human rights record in Geneva this week. All 193 UN member countries must report on their human rights performance every four and a half years.

Justice Minister Judith Collins appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva last night to discuss New Zealand’s progress in promoting and protecting human rights.

“New Zealand is internationally recognised for its long-standing commitment to improving human rights and has much to be proud of and to celebrate,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins leaves today to meet with her UK justice counterparts in London. Ms Collins will then present New Zealand’s report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Human Rights to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

This is the second time New Zealand will present its UPR on Human Rights - the first was in 2009. All 193 UN member countries are required to be examined and report on their human rights performance every four and a half years.

Justice Minister Judith Collins, alongside Prime Minister John Key, today turned the first ground on the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

“It’s fantastic to see the largest multi-agency government project in New Zealand’s history kick-off in Christchurch with the appropriate ground improvement work,” Ms Collins says.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows today announced the opening of applications to a new Government initiative that will make funding available for fresh new approaches to reducing offending by young people.

The new fund, part of the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan, will provide grants to groups and organisations with innovative ideas for reducing youth crime.

“The way we work with communities on youth justice is a key part of the Action Plan,” says Mr Borrows.

Key features of the Government’s alcohol reforms come into force this week and provide a strong platform to help drive change in New Zealand’s drinking culture, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

“For the first time in more than two decades the Government is acting to restrict, rather than relax, our drinking laws. These changes strike a sensible balance between curbing the harm alcohol abuse can cause, without penalising responsible drinkers.

A Bill modernising rules around Royal succession to the throne has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

The Royal Succession Bill puts in place changes that were agreed in 2011 by the 16 Realms who share the Queen as Head of State. All Realms, including New Zealand, must have the same succession laws.

“These changes are positive for New Zealand’s system of government. This Bill improves and modernises the rules of succession and helps ensure the monarchy remains relevant to our modern society,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced the reappointment of Hon Sir Hugh Williams QC as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for a term of three years.

“Sir Hugh continues to provide the Commission with very able legal leadership and I’m pleased he has agreed to continue to serve in this important office,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced Wellington lawyer John Edwards as the new Privacy Commissioner.

Mr Edwards will replace Ms Marie Shroff, CNZM, CVO who has completed two five year terms in the role.

“Mr Edwards’ public and private sector experience gives him a highly informed perspective on data privacy and data matching issues. He is an acknowledged privacy expert and has a broad, practical understanding of the Privacy Act,” Ms Collins says.

New proposals to increase the monetary threshold of Disputes Tribunals will allow more people to resolve common disagreements over issues such as goods, services and property damage more quickly and easily.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the proposals will allow Disputes Tribunals to deal with claims of $30,000 or less. Currently, individuals and businesses with civil claims can go to a Disputes Tribunal if the disputed amount is $15,000 or less; or up to $20,000 if all parties agree.

A Bill modernising the 100-year old law underpinning New Zealand’s courts has passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Judicature Modernisation Bill supports this Government’s commitment to delivering a 21st century justice system.

“We live in an era where people can shop, bank and pay bills online – it’s about time we look at how routine court matters can be handled more efficiently to bring justice up to speed,” Ms Collins says. 

An embarrassing middle-aged Dad trying to impress his teenager’s friends by supplying them alcohol features in a new publicity campaign to remind people of new laws about supplying alcohol to under-18 year olds.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the campaign, developed by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), relates to law changes this month around social supply of alcohol to under-18s.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the first reading of world-leading legislation to stop cyber bullies in their tracks.

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill introduces a range of measures to address damaging online communications and ensure perpetrators are held to account for their actions.

“Countries around the world are grappling with the challenges presented by increased communications within the cyber-sphere,” Ms Collins says.

New Zealand had been ranked the least corrupt country in the world for the eighth year running, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Transparency International’s Corruption Perception index released today ranked New Zealand first, equal with Denmark, out of 176 countries for having the lowest perception of corruption in the public sector.

“One of New Zealand’s biggest assets internationally is its reputation for being corruption free,” Ms Collins says. 

A new bill introduced to Parliament today will help modernise the law underpinning New Zealand’s courts so they better meet public expectations for 21st century services.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Judicature Modernisation Bill aims to bring the outdated law governing our courts up to speed, improve the transparency of court and judicial processes and enhance public trust and confidence in the justice system.