Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

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

 

Families back Pike River Bill

Sent on behalf of Stand With Pike
Families back Pike River Bill
Stand With Pike media release
18 January 2017

Pike River families are welcoming Andrew Little’s members’ bill to remove any legal barriers to safe re-entry of the Pike River drift to recover remains and evidence.

Sonya Rockhouse, who lost her son Ben in the Pike River disaster, says the legislation gives the Government the chance to do the right thing by the 29 men killed in the mine.

“Bill English has said the law is stopping us from recovering our loved ones’ bodies and having a chance to find out the truth of what happened in that mine. Now he can help us remove that barrier and get justice.

“We believe this has always been a matter for the Government. It was the Government that made promises to get our boys out, it is a government-owned company that has control of the mine, it’s on government land.

“Now the Government can clear the way for safe re-entry of the Pike River drift and we hope that Bill English makes that happen.

“We have two of the most respected mining experts in the world stating that drift can be safely recovered, and they’re backed by three other international experts with experience of Pike River, New Zealand’s former chief inspector of mining, and local mines rescue experts. This small change in the law would let that expertise be used.

“This goes beyond recovery of our loved ones. There is likely to be evidence in the drift of what happened that day - evidence that could save lives in other mines around the world.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“I want the chance to get Ben’s body back, and I want the chance to make sure the pain I have gone through doesn’t happen to someone else’s family. Bill English can give me that chance by supporting Andrew Little’s bill. He bloody well should.”

Ends

An expert report on safe re-entry to the drift including further expert endorsements is available here

www.facebook.com/standwithpike

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.