Secret Court Judge Heard – In Secret
Wednesday 16th May 2001 Stephen Franks Media Release -- Social Welfare
ACT Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman is condemning the decision of Parliament’s Social Services Committee to
close the doors to the public on a briefing from principal Family Court Judge Patrick Mahony today.
“I see bitter irony in us discussing behind closed doors a court which is being publicly criticised for the fact it
operates in secrecy.
“I pressed for the whole of Judge Mahony’s briefing to be open to the public, as many New Zealanders are concerned about
and vitally interested in the operation of the Family Court.
“Earlier this year I put before Parliament a private members bill which would have changed the presumption of the Family
Court from closed to open. Not only did this Government vote it down but today we even saw them close down open
discussion in a select committee of Parliament.
“In a free democracy open justice is in the public interest. This is a Government – which in spite of election promises
to the contrary – is demonstrating no commitment to either,” Dr Newman said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.