Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 


Top Lawyers Required To Tackle The Political Buske

Top Lawyers Required To Tackle The Political Busker

In matters before the Wellington Court of Appeal a change of law firm mid-proceedings appears as if the arguments of an unemployed street busker have registered serious concern with the New Zealand Government.

Unemployed Political Busker, Benjamin Easton of a father's coalition has applied to the Court of Appeal in respect of a decision made by Justice Dobson on a matter of whether or not a broadcast by Radio New Zealand , early in 2008, was unlawful and discriminatory against fatherhood. The decision of the judge stated that there was no ability for Mr Easton to draw the Broadcaster and the Broadcasting Standards Authority, who reviewed the principal complaint, to a faulted responsibility or action beyond their duty. Obviously, because he is appealing, Mr Easton disagrees.

"The matter that has not been fully explored by the Court", says Mr Easton, "is that the broadcast was about domestic violence, including children and that instead of treating the information with a responsible respect, a Family Court lawyer has been allowed and encouraged to abuse fatherhood, when presuming that the only perpetrators of domestic violence are men. This is demonstrably wrong. Yet all political or bureaucratic institutions engaged appear to believe that such false claims are an acceptable and reasonable form of discrimination. If such direct discrimination remains as it is protected, what is the protective purpose or function of our human rights law? It appears to me that fatherhood is taking the bash in New Zealand and is a real victim for whom few care."

The new firm taking over from Bell Gully for the BSA is Luke Cunningham & Clere, who are the Office of the Crown Solicitors. "I'm encouraged", furthers Mr Easton "that the new lawyer appointed to the proceedings is a partner from the firm. This means both of the lawyers respectively from NZ on Air and the BSA are partners of top law firms. No one now can lay claim or consider that my submissions are without merit. The Crown is obviously taking the matter very seriously where they are defending on behalf of the BSA".

Asked if the media have taken any interest in the proceedings Mr Easton responds to the irony . "I've been fully ignored" he muses. "Why would the media publish bad things that are being said on their direct deceit of the public? My claim is that the New Zealand Broadcasting and Crown Entities are the primary vehicles of a propaganda that keeps fatherhood in a social recession and men oppressed as if they are the only body necessary to take the blame for domestic violence. Men and fathers are the ultimate kicking posts of a domestically violent society doing its covert best to root out paternalism. NZ on Air funds much of New Zealand 's programming and for them to be legitimately challenged as acting badly or outside the law is an impossible equation for the media".

The matter before the Court of Appeal now is whether or not Mr Easton can pay to secure the cost of these lawyers and if he has any chance of winning. "I would like to think my chances of winning increased with this signal by the Crown. If I had the cash", he adds," then I'd happily tip their hats." The Court can waiver the security.

ends

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 

Parliament Today:

Gordon Campbell: On The Law Commission Plan To Scrap Jury Trials

Chances are, scrapping the system of trial by jury is not the top priority for most New Zealanders. Not many of us woke up this morning and felt dead keen on dumping our centuries-old right to be tried by a jury of our peers, while yearning to adopt the French system of justice by a judge and a couple of court-appointed experts. More>>

ALSO:

Scoop Audio & Video: Mondayising Holidays

David Shearer's regular pre-caucus standup. Issues include:SOE Sales, Auckland Council funding & the Labour relationship with Maori. Issue of the day was clearly the Mondayising of holidays - following this was a second standup with First Term MP David Clark. More>>

Scoop Business: Govt’s Answer To A Smaller Public Service: Google It

The government is talking seriously to the global search engine giant Google about providing software services to cut the cost and improve the efficiency of public services, Prime Minister John Key says. More>>

ALSO:

Urewera Raids: 'Operation 8' Trial Begins

Annemarie Thorby of the October 15 Solidarity Group: Over four years ago in New Zealand, on October 15th 2007, more than 300 police carried out dawn raids on scores of houses... More>>

ALSO:

Review Launched: Electoral Commission Wants To Hear From The Public On MMP

The Electoral Commission today launches a review of the MMP voting system, and seeks input from the public on possible changes to the way MMP works. More>>

ALSO:

Auckland: Transport Plan Goes On The Road

Aucklanders are being asked how they believe major transport projects should be funded. More>>

ALSO:

Werewolf Satire: The Other People In Your Neighbourhood

With audio! Under a pile of unused plastic spoons I happened to find an old tin of film. There was no clue as to its contents, and it was just made more mysterious by a note scrawled on the label… More>>

Wellington.Scoop: After protests, Kapiti Mayor Suggests Different CEO Salary System

Mayor Jenny Rowan has raised the concept of a Remuneration Authority for setting Local Government CE salaries in a letter to Local Government New Zealand head Lawrence Yule. More>>

ALSO:

LATEST HEADLINES

 
 
 
 
Politics
Search Scoop  
 
 
powered by newsagent
NZ independent news