Search

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced a new Chair and new members for the ACC Board, reflecting the Government’s priorities for the highest standards of best practice and service, and rebuilding the public’s trust and confidence in the corporation.

“My appointments today underline the Government’s commitment to genuine culture change, and will lead to a more balanced and comprehensive approach to the governance and operation of ACC.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has received the report by Canadian Justice Ian Binnie on Mr David Bain’s compensation claim for wrongful conviction and imprisonment. 

Under Cabinet guidelines adopted in 1998, the category of claimants who are eligible for compensation is limited to those who have had their convictions quashed on appeal without order of retrial, or who have received a free pardon. To receive compensation eligible claimants must establish their innocence on the balance of probabilities.

Parliament has voted 69 to 53 in favour of keeping the alcohol purchase age at 18 years old after a conscience vote today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says keeping the purchase age at 18 across the board denies one effective way of curbing problem drinking, but it is not the only tool available.

“Our Alcohol Reform Bill aims to drive lasting change to our drinking culture, and has a wide range of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm in our families and communities.

Justice Minister Judith Collins will tomorrow launch the expansion of the safe@home domestic violence prevention programme, committing $1 million over the next two years to the project delivered by Auckland charity, Shine.

Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today that the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 will come into force on 1 October 2012 following the signing of the commencement order by the Governor-General Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Some provisions of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 came into force on 18 April 2012 upon the expiry of the Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Act. The remainder of the Act comes into force on 1 October 2012.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced Government plans to increase maximum penalties for child pornography offences and to future-proof laws against advances in technology. 

Ms Collins says offenders can access objectionable material in ways and at speeds unimagined only a decade ago.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Labour MP and former Trade Minister, Phil Goff’s proposals to restrict RTDs would breach our international trade obligations.

“Mr Goff has today called for a blanket restriction on the alcohol volume and size of all RTDs on sale in New Zealand. As a former Trade Minister, Mr Goff well knows this kind of wholesale restriction would put us in breach of our Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement and other trade treaties.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the Independent Review of ACC’s Privacy and Security of Information, and the Auditor-General’s Inquiry into aspects of ACC’s Board-level governance.

Ms Collins says ACC must deliver the high level of protection people rightly expect for their personal information and the independent report’s recommendations give clear directions for improvements.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today released the Government’s final supplementary order paper (SOP) to the Alcohol Reform Bill set to return to Parliament soon.

Ms Collins says the SOP will improve the Bill’s workability and effectiveness, and addresses detailed policy issues arising from consultation and recommendations.

Key amendments include:

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today welcomed a Law Commission report with recommendations for reducing the harm caused by cyber-bullying.

Earlier this year, Ms Collins asked the Law Commission to fast-track its recommendations as part of the report on new media: The News Media meets ‘New Media’: Rights, responsibilities and regulation in the digital age.

“Bullying has long been a problem, but its reach and impact has increased considerably in our digital age,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins is encouraging all New Zealanders to comment on proposed changes to the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, following the Electoral Commission’s Proposal Paper released today.

The Commission is reviewing the voting system following the vote at last November’s referendum to keep MMP, as required by the Electoral Referendum Act 2010.

“I’ve been delighted at New Zealanders’ input into the MMP review so far,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the reappointment of Kristy McDonald QC as the chairperson of the Real Estate Agents Authority.

The Authority is the regulatory body for the real estate industry, created by the Real Estate Agents Act 2008.

Ms McDonald was appointed as the inaugural chairperson of the Authority in July 2009 and has played a key role in its establishment.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today unveiled the Government’s plans to reform the Family Court – the first significant changes to the Court since it was established in 1981.

The proposals respond to the serious concerns about the Family Court raised by the public, judges, lawyers and counsellors during a comprehensive review of the Court, completed earlier this year.

Ms Collins says New Zealand needs a modern, accessible family justice system that is efficient, effective and more responsive to children and vulnerable people.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today appointed Dr Zoe Pearson and Ms Larissa Wakim as members of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.

The independent tribunal was established under the Immigration Act 2009 to consider all immigration, deportation, refugee, and protection appeals in New Zealand.

Ms Collins said Dr Pearson and Ms Wakim are both highly respected legal professionals that will bring a great deal of skill and expertise to the Tribunal.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Robert Kee as the Director of Human Rights Proceedings.

Mr Kee’s appointment follows the expiration of term of the incumbent Director, Mr Robert Hesketh.

“I would like to thank Mr Hesketh for leading the Office of Human Rights Proceedings for the last two terms, since 2002,” Ms Collins said.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed a Law Commission report that recommends modernising law that controls government openness and transparency.

The first major review of the Official Information Act 1982 and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 was released today by the Law Commission and makes a number of legislative and operational recommendations.

“It has been 30 years since the Official information Act came into force and made transparent the way the Government and its agencies operated,” Ms Collins said.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand’s African communities have a great contribution to make to our country, ahead of tomorrow’s inaugural African Forum in Auckland.

The forum, hosted by the Office of Ethnic Affairs, will identify and explore issues affecting African communities in Zealand – including our nation’s economic and trade connections with Africa.

“New Zealand’s African communities bring a great deal of energy and diversity to our shores,” Ms Collins says.

Minister of Justice Judith Collins announced today that Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier has been appointed as a new member of the Law Commission for a period of five years, effective from 10 December 2012.

“Judge Boshier’s vast experience in many facets of the law and his extensive administrative experience will be significant assets to the Law Commission,” Ms Collins says.

Service providers are being sought to support New Zealand’s first Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Court pilot, Justice Minister Judith Collins and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Mr Dunne said the Ministry of Health has issued a Request for Proposal for drug and alcohol treatment organisations to provide a range of specialist services for offenders – including drug and alcohol screening, community-based treatment and drug testing services.

Ms Collins said the pilot court will have the capacity to deal with around 100 defendants a year.

Justice Minister Judith Collins is urging the financial services industry to have its say on a final set of regulations under new laws designed to strengthen New Zealand’s financial system against organised crime and ensure it is not used to finance terrorism.

The proposed regulations relate to administrative and minor policy matters and form part of obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act), which comes into force on 30 June next year.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government’s Better Public Services plan to reduce crime and reoffending is a comprehensive programme of smart, practical actions to make New Zealand safer.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the start of a six-month trial of criminal history sharing between New Zealand and Australia.

The trial will give four New Zealand agencies access to the Australian criminal records of job applicants. The agencies – the Ministry of Social Development, Child Youth and Family, the Teachers' Council and IHC New Zealand – already undertake high risk employee checks through the New Zealand Police.

A bill extending the applicability of the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005 for a further year passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Amendment Act extends the current victims' claims process (due to expire on 30 June) for one year while the Government's policy to redirect prisoner compensation to victims of crime is progressed.

“Courts can only award compensation to prisoners for breaches of their human rights in extraordinary circumstances.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today tabled a new Service and Purchase Agreement between the Government and ACC outlining the services to be provided by the Corporation.

Ms Collins says the new agreement comes into effect on 1 July and represents a rebalance of the broader responsibilities ACC has to all New Zealanders.

“New Zealanders rightfully expect to be able to trust in ACC and its integrity and for ACC to ensure entitlements are delivered transparently and fairly to those who need them.