3 June 2004

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Sometimes it is best to be humble

Sometimes it would be best if politicians tried to be a little humble instead of attacking everyone but themselves for deficiencies in the law, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

"Following Dr Cullen, politicians from other parties are now criticising judges for being 'active,' whatever that may mean.

“What our judges are actually doing, quite properly, is interpreting statute law or explaining common law.

"Clearly, politicians aren’t always doing a good job of ensuring clarity in the laws they make.

"Politicians are law-makers. If some among us are unhappy at individual judges' interpretations of any particular law then all that really means is that clearly the law wasn't very well written," the Progressive MP said.

No matter if it is the Court of Appeal, the Maori Land Court or the Refugee Status Appeals Authority, the basic constitutional premise is the independence of the judiciary.

ENDS