14 March 2013

Collins must stop Family Court reforms that put children at increased risk

Judith Collins needs to listen to the judges, lawyers and others who have warned that her Family Court reforms will create a serious risk to the safety of parents and their children, the Green Party said today.

“The safety of all parties must be the key driver of any changes to the Family Court process,” said Green Party justice spokesperson David Clendon.

“Removing the right for parties to have legal representation in many cases will reduce the chance of parents feeling protected by the system and able to contribute to the process without fear.

“Christchurch Family Court judges have warned that Judith Collins’ reforms ‘create a serious risk to the safety of parents in dispute, and their children’. This is unacceptable.

“While these reforms are focussed on getting people through the system as quickly as possible, they ignore the risks to the safety of those involved.

“New Zealanders deserve better when going through difficult family breakups than cost cutting measures that put them and their children at increased risk,” Mr Clendon said.

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