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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.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will welcome members of New Zealand’s Chinese communities to Parliament tonight to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Ms Collins says the function will be a colourful display of Chinese culture and tradition, and will acknowledge the close relationship between New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China.

“Tonight we mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake and recognise the significant contribution our Chinese communities make to New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Justice, and Minister Responsible for the Human Rights Commission, Judith Collins says comments by New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser are extremely disappointing and may cause international embarrassment for New Zealand.

“New Zealand values diversity and prides itself on being an inclusive society.

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.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced changes to the ACC Board with the appointment of a new member, James Miller, and the resignation of a current member, Jane Huria.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of James Miller.

“Mr Miller’s background is in finance and investment and he has extensive experience as a board director in both the private and public sectors, including the Financial Markets Authority.

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.

The Government is introducing a range of incentives to help business owners focus on improved safety management and make work places safer, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

New Motor Vehicle Account levy classes for goods and service vehicles will better reflect the risks posed by heavier trucks that will now be levied by weight, as well as by fuel type. 

“It’s important that we recognise some forms of transport pose higher safety risks, and should attract a levy rate that reflects that risk.

The Government has decided to keep ACC levies in the Work and Earners’ Accounts unchanged for 2013/2014, ACC Minister Judith Collins announced today.

“This Government is committed to rebuilding ACC’s long-term sustainability, so we can invest in its systems, its people and the services it delivers on behalf of all New Zealanders.

“That means making sustainable change over time, and reducing levies over a longer-term framework,” Ms Collins says.

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.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has today spoken to women at The Ethnic Women's Leadership Programme in Auckland about the importance of making the most of every opportunity offered to them in New Zealand.

"Our country has an excellent reputation when it comes to women being treated as equals," Ms Collins said.