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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.

Justice Minister, Judith Collins, and Trade Minister, Tim Groser, have welcomed the European Commission’s formal declaration that New Zealand privacy law provides an adequate standard of data protection for the purposes of European Union (EU) law.

European Union countries can now send personal data to New Zealand for processing without the need for extra controls.

Ms Collins says New Zealand is one of only five countries outside Europe to receive this level of recognition and trust and this is a vote of confidence in New Zealand’s privacy laws.

Garry Denley of Auckland and John Gaukrodger of Hamilton have been reappointed and Nola Dangen of Auckland has been appointed as members of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The Tribunal was established under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and hears charges, applications and appeals relating to the conduct of real estate agents.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today turned the first sod at the Manukau District Court construction site marking the start of the $40.6 million redevelopment project.

The redevelopment will include a new four story extension as well as extensive alterations and a complete refurbishment of the existing court building. When complete, the redevelopment will provide four new jury trial courtrooms with provision for further expansion.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today released the reports by Canadian former judge Justice Ian Binnie, QC into David Bain’s application for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment, and the Hon Dr Robert Fisher’s peer review of that report.

“Hon Dr Robert Fisher, QC has confirmed the report by former judge Justice Ian Binnie, QC is flawed and would not withstand scrutiny.

“Mr Bain has asked the Government, on behalf of New Zealanders, to consider his claim for compensation.

A Bill to ensure victims of crime can continue to seek a share of compensation received by prisoners passed its first reading in Parliament last night.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill makes permanent the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005, which will expire in July next year.

Legislation overhauling New Zealand’s out dated alcohol laws has passed its final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says new laws for the sale and supply of alcohol mark a major milestone.

“For the first time in more than two decades Parliament has acted to restrict, rather than relax, our drinking laws.

“This Government has delivered for New Zealand a wide range of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm in our families and communities.

Concerns with former Canadian judge, Justice Ian Binnie’s report into David Bain’s claim for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment show peer review is needed, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

“After reviewing the report prepared by Justice Binnie in September, I was concerned with some aspects of it. With the consent of the Attorney-General, I received advice from the Solicitor-General on the report. Following this advice, I decided the report should be peer reviewed. I commissioned Hon Robert Fisher, QC to do this.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has joined with representatives of 48 countries in Brussels at the Ministerial launch of the Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online.

The Global Alliance aims to eliminate legal loopholes exploited by the distributors of child abuse material, strengthen efforts to grow the Interpol international database of child abuse material, and make it easier to initiate joint cross-border police investigations.

“Online sexual abuse of children knows no borders and child pornography circulates easily across countries.

The Christchurch Public Defence Service (PDS) office will be part of a high quality legal aid system, says Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows.

At the office’s official opening today, Mr Borrows said the PDS delivers quality defence services to some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

“The PDS is an important component of the high quality legal aid system in this country, is well-regarded by judges, prosecutors and court staff, and delivers value for money.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins leaves tomorrow for a week-long trip to Hong Kong and Brussels.

In Hong Kong, Minister Collins will meet her public sector counterparts at the Government Office, including the Secretary for Justice and the Chief Justice of the Final Court of Appeal.

“I look forward to discussing some of the justice issues we are currently facing with my colleagues, such as extradition, financial crime, privacy law reform and how we can mutually assist each other to address these,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today introduced legislation to Parliament to modernise the family justice system and make it more accessible to those who need it most.

Ms Collins says the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is the first important step to creating a modern and accessible family justice system that is more focused on the needs of children and vulnerable people.

“It is important to concentrate on putting the needs of children first, and our reforms will support parents to resolve their simple parenting and relationship issues outside court.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today tabled in Parliament the Law Commission’s report Review of the Judicature Act 1908: Towards a New Courts Act.

The Judicature Act forms part of New Zealand’s constitution and is one of the oldest pieces of legislation on our statute books. It provides much of the legislative foundation for the higher courts of New Zealand, including the Court of Appeal.

“We are focussed on creating a modern, accessible and people-centred justice system.