ACT Welcomes Judge Boshier's Call For Open Family Court

Friday 26 Mar 2004 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare

The comments of new Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier - that he favours more openness in the Family Court - is welcome news, and couldn't have come at a better time, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.

"My Private Members Bill - the Family Court (Openness of Proceedings) Amendment Bill - is presently sitting on Parliament's Order Paper, ready to be debated in the next couple of months. The Bill calls for more openness in the Family Court, while still leaving judges with the discretion to protect the identities of individuals, and to close the Court on a case-by-case basis.

"In light of the comments of former Principal Family Court Judge Patrick Mahoney, that the judiciary would be relaxed with more openness, and Judge Boshier's reinforcement of that principle, I am now extremely hopeful that every political party will see fit to support my Bill to a Select Committee, so that Parliament can begin the process of opening up New Zealand's closed Family Court," 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.

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