Completion of Consistency 2000
   
New Zealand Government

Completion of Consistency 2000

Associate Minister of Justice Margaret Wilson

August 2001

Associate Minister of Justice Margaret Wilson today introduced the new Human Rights Amendment Bill.

“This legislation is the long awaited outcome of the Consistency 2000 Audit Project that was cancelled under the previous government but was revived and completed under this government”.

The Bill:

  • Introduces a new Human Rights Commission, which will be more representative of New Zealand society. It will comprise a full-time Chief Human Rights Commissioner and Race Relations Commissioner, plus five part-time Commissioners.

    The Commissioners will have a new focus on strategic leadership, advocacy and education.

  • Introduces a new dispute resolution process to provide fairer and faster problem solving services.

There are no changes to human rights for the private sector. Changes only relate to government activity which includes policies, practices regulations and legislation.

Under the Bill the government will be liable for discrimination in the public sector.

All discrimination by the government will only be justified if it can be “demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

Individuals will be able to take complaints about discrimination against the government policies and practices and receive the full range of remedies under the Human Rights Act. These include damages, restraining orders, declarations and any relief the court see fit.

Where discrimination is required by legislation the Court may grant a declaration of inconsistency which must be brought to the attention of the House along with the Executive’s response to the declaration.

The Bill amends a number of other Acts to align them with the Government’s human rights policy.

The legislation will receive its first reading later this week and be referred to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee where public submissions will be heard. It is important that the new law be in place before the end of the year to address the expiry of the current government exemption in the Human Rights Act.

“The Government is committed to the development of a robust and sustainable human rights culture in New Zealand. The introduction of the new Human Rights Amendment Bill is a first significant step towards achieving this goal".

 

    
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