National should stop delaying consent law reform – Labour
Labour is calling on the Government to modernise New Zealand’s consent law by supporting a member’s Bill to progress directly to the House.
The Bill, developed by a cross-party group of MPs, would define consent as something communicated through words or actions and make it explicit that consent cannot be inferred from silence or inaction.
It also makes clear that a person cannot reasonably believe consent has been given unless they have taken reasonable steps to establish it.
“This reform is ready to go, National can choose to act now or continue to delay,” Labour’s justice spokesperson Camilla Belich said.
“This should never have become a political issue. MPs from across Parliament worked together to develop this Bill because New Zealanders deserve consent laws that are clear, modern and fit for purpose.
“It’s deeply disappointing National walked away from those bipartisan discussions. If they are serious on reform, why wait? We can do this now. This Bill already has support from the Labour and Green caucus and is being actively discussed with other parties across the House.
“New Zealand’s current consent law leaves too much room for ambiguity, with the possibility of consent at times inferred by inaction.
“By modernising our laws and adopting an affirmative consent which must be communicated through words or conduct, we can better safeguard people from serious and harmful crimes.
“New Zealand is lagging behind other countries when it comes to consent laws and it’s crucial we modernise them now to protect Kiwis and improve confidence in our justice system,” Camilla Belich said.
National should stop delaying the Consent Law Reform Bill. The beauty of this Bill, unlike the majority of the other CoC Bills, is it was drawn up by a cross-party group of MP’s. This is how all controversial / important Bills should be handled, NOT rammed through by a rabble of corrupt, deceitful MP’s simply because they can, or it leads to donations, AKA bribery! Any voter out there who can’t grasp this important factor needs to rethink their lack of moral fibre and principles and their personal dishonesty. NZ desperately needs Consent Laws fit for purpose. RW voters may consider it acceptable to keep ramming through Bills of their choice but your LW voters are more savvy! If those who drew it up are happy with it, then why delay it?