Andrew LITTLE
Justice Spokesperson                        

25 February 2014                                                         MEDIA STATEMENT

CTV probe another reason for new law  

A corporate manslaughter law would have ensured some accountability for the deaths of the 115 people who died in the collapse of the CTV building, Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little says.

Police investigating the building’s collapse during the February 2011 earthquake have engaged an expert engineering firm to review technical information as part of an on-going assessment to determine whether any criminal investigation should begin into the collapse. 

“Families of those who died in the building have had little solace so far, despite a Royal Commission.

“Current law means police have to determine whether a crime has been committed by an individual.

“A corporate manslaughter law would deal with collective failures of governance and management, and would apply in cases such as this and at Pike River. Someone would be held accountable.

“Unfortunately the Government has ignored a recommendation from its own health and safety taskforce and decided not to introduce legislation that would have criminalised these awful failures.

"If my proposed corporate manslaughter were in force in 2011, it would mean organisations with statutory and other legal responsibilities, such as the council and the engineer, could be prosecuted and the culpability of individuals would be addressed in sentencing.

"Labour is committed to introducing a manslaughter law on election to government."

ENDS

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