GUEST BLOG: Arthur Taylor – the most important constitutional law hearing to be held in over 25 years
Next week – 26 & 27 October, a Full Bench of 5 judges of the Court of Appeal will hear the Crown’s appeal against Justice Heath’s Decision on 24 July 2015 to grant a Declaration of Inconsistency on the Act of Parliament which bans prisoner voting. Top silk Victoria Casey QC represents the Speaker.
The Speaker of the House of Parliament is trying to intervene , with a claim of parliamentary privilege . The case is called Attorney General vs Taylor & Others . It has been called by senior lawyers the most important constitutional law hearing to be held in over 25 years & a real test of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. It is expected the hearing will attract many scholars and lawyers as spectators .
I will be represented by the eminent Doug Ewen ; who will be arguing my brief from the High Court last year . Richard Francoise represents the other prisoners .
Arthur Taylor is TDBs prisoner rights blogger currently inside prison.
Far from demanding the right to vote, voting should be compulsory. No exceptions.
Rights of citizenship implies equal, compensatory responsibility.
Those who, for reasons they think good, wish not to vote (a cop-out in my view, but there may be good reasons I haven’t thought of) can vote informal.
I also like blanket, statutory coverage of political speeches, and discussion periodically in the weeks running up to an election; yes, I mean all channels and outlets.
When Facebook, Snap Chat, Twitter and the rest are closed down for the period, you may even get a few new people interested in politics, (most probably only to fight for their Right to Party). Even that would be a start.
Prisoner’s right to vote? A no-brainer.
As prisoners choose not to conform with the rules of society then they should not be able to vote.
warning planet full of brainwashed slaves?
And what about the offenders of victimless crime like the weed smoker or the dope grower or the unpaid fines person or the disqualified driver? yeah real tough on crime attitude ffs
Dave, Dave, not liking the current rules of society is the reason why half of us vote.
But it’s a great idea! Maybe you should only be allowed to vote if you like the way things are. I may just put a note to that effect in with my next contribution to the National Party.
great effort Arthur getting this issue so far down the legal track
what a tosser–the speaker trying to intervene!
prison populations are due to increase under Nats plans, so prisoner voting becomes even more important along with publicising the unprinted roll and other measures to get the non enrolled and non voters to start participating