Media release 9 October 2003
Four parties stand up to be counted
Political parties that have stated their intention to vote against the Supreme Court Bill - United Future, National, ACT
and NZ First - should be congratulated by all New Zealanders for defending the constitutional process, says Business NZ.
Chief Executive Simon Carlaw said the Government's rush to reconstruct the most senior level of the judicial system
based on a slim majority in Parliament was dangerous and could lead to diminished respect for a supreme court.
"This would be a regrettable disservice to the judicial process.
"Business, frequently the deep pocket when judicial decision-making goes astray, has been particularly shabbily treated.
Reasoned and reasonable contributions to the debate have been totally ignored.
"The manner in which the Bill has been introduced and bulldozed through can give no confidence in the process of
constitutional review which the Government says will come next," Mr Carlaw said.
ENDS