Opening Speech to the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Association 83rd Annual Conference
Thank you for inviting me to open the 83rd Annual Conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Association.
Can I acknowledge:
•President Alison Thomson and Board members of the Royal Federation
•Incoming President Kevin Geddes
•Mayor Tracey Hicks from the Gore District
•Councillor Neil Boniface, Invercargill City Council
•Eric Roy MP, Deputy Speaker of the House – and a JP for 22 years
•Gerard McGreevy Deputy Secretary, Legal Ministry of Justice.
Can I start by thanking you all for the work you do in your local communities. We have over 10,000 JPs playing an important leadership role.
In particular, I very much appreciated the recent letter from Alan Hart, Registrar of the Royal Federation, offering support to Christchurch JPs in their activities.
My own father is a JP so I have a reasonable understanding of the role.
People rely on you for a range of important functions, whether it’s witnessing documents, taking statutory declarations, or just offering advice or guidance.
The role of a JP has always been to serve the public. It is done on a voluntary basis, with no expectation of payment.
You might be aware the first JP in New Zealand was appointed in 1814, so that's nearly 200 years of voluntary service.
This is the second time I‘ve attended your Annual Conference, and I’ve also spoken to a number of regional member associations over the last 12 months.
I appreciate the chance to meet in person, and hear your views. It’s great to be here.
Justice issues
With these speeches I usually like to give an update on Justice, police and legal issues the Government is working on.
Of course the surprise news this week has been the announcement by Justice Minister Simon Power that he is stepping down at the next election.
He has dealt with a huge workload and done a great deal to modernise and update our justice system with badly needed reforms.
In just over two years, the Government has brought in:
•Police safety orders to combat family violence
•A $50 offender levy to fund new services for victims of serious crime
•New initiatives around sexual violence and the protection of children
•New DNA collection policies to help clear unsolved crime.
We’ve also made it harder to get bail, removed parole eligibility for the worst repeat violent offenders, and targeted gangs.
Technology
Many of you involved in deposition hearings will have seen first hand how processes have been modernised and simplified.
Another example of this is the Audio Visual Link Project which is currently running out of Auckland District Court.
A direct video feed runs from the remand prison into one of the courtrooms so accused can appear via video – rather than being bussed around the place.
Alcohol
Another big issue is alcohol reform.
We know that alcohol is a major driver of crime. It plays a part in 30 per cent of all offences, 34 per cent of family violence, and one in every two homicides.
The Government is proposing a number of key reforms in our legislation.
There will be restrictions on the size and strength of pre-mixed Ready-to-drink beverages, and it will be an offence to supply liquor to under-18s without the permission of their parents.
Local communities will have more power over the location and opening hours of liquor outlets, and there will be set closing times for bars and off-licenses.
Corner dairies will no longer be eligible for liquor licenses, once their current licenses expire, and alcohol products which are particularly dangerous or appealing to youth will be reduced.
There will also be improved public education and treatment services for people with dependency issues.
The vote on changing the purchase age is a conscience vote for each MP to decide. I've given this issue a lot of thought and after reading the Law Commission report and listening to the views of the public, I've decided to support a split age for purchasing alcohol.
This means that the status quo age limit of 18 will still remain for bars and restaurants, but will be 20 for takeaway alcohol from bottle stores and supermarkets.
Updated training
Finally, I’m pleased that new manuals and bench books used in JP training were updated last year.
The training course for new JPs has been redesigned and the first enrolees have now completed the course.
Conclusion
Thank you to the Royal Federation for the time and energy they have put into organising this conference and for the interesting programme they have put together for the duration.
On behalf of the Government, can I thank you all again for the work you do in our communities. It is deeply appreciated.
I’m very happy to declare the 83rd Annual Conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Association, officially open.