NZ Council for Civil Liberties

Steven Ensslen

Submissions

Submission: Independent Electoral Review

While great play is made of our Parliament being supreme in Aotearoa’s mostly un-entrenched constitutional arrangements, we believe it is weak, has too few members, is significantly under-resourced, does not function well, lacks independence, and is therefore dominated by the executive. We need to invest more in our Parliament to improve the quality and independence of its work, and thereby our democracy. Keep reading “Submission: Independent Electoral Review”

Submissions

Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2023

Submitters have a common objective with Members – that the outcome of the scrutiny process should be thehighest quality legislation possible, even if this may sometimes mean  recommending that the bill be withdrawn for redrafting or consultation. Our  submission makes recommendations to improve the quality of select  committee and parliamentary processes so as to try and avoid that second situation. Keep reading “Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2023”

Submissions

Submission: Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill

The Council calls for the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill to be withdrawn. The Council doubts the effectiveness of the bill's core measures and opposes restrictions on freedom of information, freedom of expression, and our right to justice. Keep reading “Submission: Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Inquiry into Supplementary Order Paper 59 on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill

The Council supports the rights and liberties of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand including their right not to be discriminated against on the basis of their gender, gender identity, or sex characteristics. Keep reading “Submission: Inquiry into Supplementary Order Paper 59 on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill”

Submissions

Submission: – Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill

The Council supports the proposed criminalisation of conversion therapy. We have an obligation to protect the life, dignity, health and equality of LGBT+ persons. We recommend amendments to criminalise cosmetic gender assignment surgery on infants, to remove the loophole for health practitioners, and to add sentencing options other than prison. Keep reading “Submission: – Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill”