The Green Party has welcomed the release of the Waitangi Tribunal report, which has called for the legislative ban on prisoner voting to be overturned.   Green Party Justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said:   “The Supreme Court, and now the Waitangi Tribunal, has confirmed that denying these New Zealanders the ability to cast their vote on Election Day is an unacceptable breach of their fundamental rights.   “As a result they are excluded from processes that engage them in society,...

The Green Party has welcomed today’s First Reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which will strengthen participatory democracy in New Zealand. The Green Party will be working to strengthen the Bill as it proceeds through the House.  “Changes outlined in the bill are very welcome, particularly the addition of Election Day enrolment and increasing the number of places where New Zealanders can cast their vote. We know this will reduce barriers to people who are more likely to change addresses,...

The Government will introduce law changes later this year to ensure that the justice system, in prosecuting sexual violence cases, does no more harm to victims and survivors.

The Government will introduce law changes later this year to ensure that the justice system, in prosecuting sexual violence cases, does no more harm to victims and survivors. “Everyone who has been harmed by sexual violence deserves to have justice delivered without going through more, avoidable, trauma,” says Jan Logie, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice, at HELP Auckland today. “Research consistently shows that giving evidence is the hardest part of the justice process for sexual violence victims. We...

New family violence laws will increase the safety of victims and their families, create effective interventions for people who use violence, and ensure every branch of the justice system is responding in a joined-up, appropriate way to the problem of family violence. The Family Violence and Family Violence (Amendments) Acts, which come into effect on 1 July, make a number of significant changes: updating the definition of family violence to include coercion and control, with examples such as dowry abuse,...

The Green Party welcome increased support for Community Law Centres so that more New Zealanders have access to justice, Greens Justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said today. “Good legal support should be available for all.  “Everyone is entitled to legal representation and to know their rights. I’m glad this Government is working to ensure more people can access legal support across New Zealand. “For far too long, community legal centres have been buckling under pressure trying to provide fair and accessible legal support...

Allowing people to enroll to vote on voting day improves democracy, says Green Party Electoral Issues spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman.   “The only reason given for not supporting these changes is that National are worried it will help other parties.  National is admitting it wants to stop people voting in order to help their own political position.   “New Zealand has one of the strongest democracies in the world and it is important that everyone has access to it. We’ve seen...

Budget spending to ensure New Zealanders can enrol to vote on Election Day will strengthen democracy in Aotearoa, Green Party Electoral Issues spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said today. “We’ve seen overseas, particularly in places likes the United States, where voting is discouraged in an effort to maintain the status quo. “Here in New Zealand, I’m proud that we instead actively encourage participation in our election and broader democracy. “The higher the engagement in elections the stronger our democracy. “At the last...

From 1 July, family violence agencies and social services practitioners will be able to share information to better respond to family violence. Today the Government released Sharing information safely: Guidance on sharing personal information under the Family Violence Act 2018. This guidance supports the family violence sector to implement new information sharing provisions in the Family Violence Act 2018. “Sharing information safely will help protect people from harm and promote more consistent responses to family violence,” said Jan Logie, Under-Secretary to...

The Green Party has succeeded in Government negotiations to secure a clear legal regime for cannabis legalisation, Chlöe Swarbrick confirmed today. Today’s announcement by the Minister of Justice Andrew Little confirms that: A referendum will be held at the 2020 election The referendum will be on a detailed law, so New Zealanders can see what they are voting for Private cultivation will be regulated There will be a ban on advertising of cannabis products Purchase will only be legal in...