Richard Worth National Justice Spokesman
16 September 2003
United Future flip-flops on Supreme Court
National's Justice spokesman Richard Worth says that if New Zealanders were expecting fair and thorough deliberation on
the controversial Supreme Court Bill, they'll be sorely disappointed.
The Justice and Electoral Committee has this afternoon tabled its report on the legislation.
"This Committee has endured days of hearing, with good arguments being put forward.
"But these have been blithely ignored by the Labour and United Future committee members who've decided to send the Bill
back without significant change," says Mr Worth.
"It is patently obvious that despite its hollow protestations, United Future will support whatever Margaret Wilson
wants. Look how it buckled on the Gambling legislation."
Mr Worth says there are critical points about this Bill which are being overlooked.
* "The Privy Council is a Court of acknowledged excellence. In evidence to the Select Committee, a former New
Zealand Chief Justice said:"The Privy Council certainly is an extremely high-class, polished, Rolls Royce service.
There's no gainsaying that."
* "The major users of the Privy Council, including Maori and business interests, are opposed to the abolition of
rights of appeal to the Court.
* "The argument that our national identity requires us to no longer defer to an overseas jurisdiction is deeply
flawed. The reality is that many countries have ceded sovereignty in a number of ways - international agreements are one
example. Many countries are looking outside adjudicative bodies for the resolution of disputes - New Zealand is
following a contrary course.
* "In any country, it is important that investment interests have confidence in the domestic legal system. There
is no doubt that the Privy Council as the final appellate court for investment and business interests provided that
confidence.
"National also has serious misgivings about the appointments process for the new Court," says Mr Worth.
"The judges of the new Court have the potential to reshape the legal and social landscape of New Zealand and it is
entirely wrong that they should be appointed through a limited political process."
Ends