NZ Council for Civil Liberties

Submissions

Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill

The Council opposes this attempt to limit our right to protest as a completely unjustified restraint on our civil liberties. If it should pass we make suggestions for improvements including tighter definitions and the requirement to give a warning before arrest. Keep reading “Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill

The Operation Burnham inquiry concluded that NZDF should not be uncritically trusted to oversee itself. Given that the IGD appears not to be overseeing NZDF either, the Public Records Act remains the primary safeguard we have as a nation to hold NZDF accountable for its mistakes. Keep reading “Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill”

News

Secret Ministry of Justice consultation on Terrorism Suppression Act

The Ministry of Justice is secretly consulting with handpicked people and groups about proposals to radically strengthen ministers powers to designate groups as 'terrorist', and create offences for supporting them or publishing information that could be seen as support. Keep reading “Secret Ministry of Justice consultation on Terrorism Suppression Act”

News

Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response

Civil society organisations have written to Minister Collins who – following the reshuffle – is now the Minister responsible for New Zealand's membership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). We suggested commitments for our fifth National Action Plan, and sought a meeting with the minister. Keep reading “Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response”

Blog Posts

Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response

Guest post discussing the significant issues with the IPCA's report ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’ which recommends changes to legislation and policing around public protests in Aotearoa. Keep reading “Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response”

Submissions

Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill

This bill would possibly extend the term of Parliament to 4 years. The Council strongly recommends that this bill is not passed. Proponents of a four-year term would be better served by first enacting methods to strengthen the legislature and our democracy by dispersing power more widely, and ensuring these measures are deeply embedded. Keep reading “Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill”