The Parliament Bill makes funding of our legislature more independent of the government. However, it fails to bring parliamentary agencies within the Official Information Act. The Bill also increases the powers of Parliamentary Security, which could have real problems for our right to protest outside. Keep reading “Submission: Parliament Bill”
The Council has written to the Government Statistician about Stats NZ's refusal to provide people with copies of the information it holds on them in the Integrated Data Infrastructure. We think this is a breach of the Privacy Act. Keep reading “Our Privacy Act rights and Stats Integrated Data Infrastructure”
Eight civil society organisations have written to Minister Willis who is both the Minister responsible for New Zealand's membership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and Minister of Finance asking her to ensure that adequate funding is provided so that ambitious new pieces of work are committed to in our next National Action Plan. Keep reading “CSOs call on the Minister for the Public Service and Finance to adequately fund Open Government Partnership work”
The Fast-track Approvals Bill does not just remove our rights to participate in environmental decision-making, it removes our right to information under the OIA, taking us back to the dark days of Muldoon and the Official Secrets Act. Keep reading “Submission: Fast-track Approvals Bill”
The Council responded to a Ministry of Justice consultation on secrecy clauses that override the Official Information Act. We concluded the consultation was wholly unfit. It will not lead to stronger testing of claims for secrecy, as it sets out no standards. Keep reading “Secrecy clauses that override the Official Information Act”
The Council's response to a consultation by the Ministry of Justice on the draft of a voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists. We're concerned by the definition of 'lobbyist' and how weak the draft Code is. Keep reading “Submission on the Draft Voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists”
The Council has summarised its thoughts on civil liberties and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are various lessons to be learned that are key to retaining public trust and confidence in times of crisis. Keep reading “What the Royal Commission on Lessons from COVID-19 should consider”
The Council is disturbed by the Ministry of Justice's secretive consultation on guidance about proposed laws that oust the Official Information Act. Keep reading “Media release: Bizarre Government secrecy keeps public in the dark about law changes affecting the OIA”
Watch the video recording of the April 2023 event on open government with Sanjay Pradhan and Helen Clark from the Open Government Partnership, Helmut Modlik of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Andrew Ecclestone and Suzanne Snively. Keep reading “Complacency on Open Government a risk to democracy – Helen Clark”
The bill requires the Minister to appoint a 'collection agency' to collect and distribute royalties on the re-sale of visual works of art. But the bill does not make this body subject to the OIA, Ombudsmen Act, Public Audit Act or Public Records Act. We recommend this is fixed. Keep reading “Submission: Resale Right for Visual Artists Bill”
The full text of our submission to the Governance and Administration Select Committee, opposing the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Bill unless amended. Keep reading “Submission: Local Government Official Information and Meetings (Amendment) Bill”
The full text of our submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee recommending substantial amendments to the Inspector-General of Defence Bill. Keep reading “Submission: Inspector-General of Defence Bill”
The draft of Aotearoa's 4th Open Government Partnership National Action Plan is another disappointing piece of work stuffed with pre-planned work, aside from one commitment on equitable access to public services. Read the Council's submission. Keep reading “Comments on Aotearoa’s 4th Open Government Partnership National Action Plan”
The New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties today condemned the government for yet another in a series of weak National Action Plans produced as a member of the international Open Government Partnership (the OGP). Keep reading “Media release: Open Government – Sham consultation on yet another weak plan”
The New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties is opposed to the Data and Statistics Bill and wants it withdrawn. Once in a generation law reform, on a topic that needs all-party support to have credibility, should be developed collaboratively to ensure public confidence.
Read our briefing to MPs ahead of the final stages of the Bill's passage through Parliament. Keep reading “Briefing on the Data and Statistics Bill”
We're at a key stage in developing NZ's next Open Government Action Plan, and this post explains where we've got to and how you can provide feedback and suggestions on the possible commitments in the next plan. Keep reading “Update on developing the next Open Government Action Plan”
Part two of a briefing to the Minister for Public Services, who is responsible for the country's membership of the Open Government Partnership. This part deals with the opportunity to strengthen proactive publication. Keep reading “Open Government – Briefing to Minister Hipkins, part two: Proactive Disclosure”
Part one of a briefing to the Minister for Public Services, who is responsible for the country's membership of the Open Government Partnership. This part deals with the problem of secrecy clauses in legislation. Keep reading “Open Government – Briefing to Minister Hipkins, part one: Secrecy Clauses”
The Council supports the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill, subject to amendments enabling re-sentencing and compensation for prisoners found to have been detained for an unjust duration. Keep reading “Submission: Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill”
The Council has suggested commitments for inclusion in the country's next National Action Plan as a member of the Open Government Partnership. These would strengthen our democracy, increase access to justice and increase oversight of intelligence activities, amongst other things. Keep reading “Submission: Open Government Action Plan”