Attorney-General Margaret Wilson has no electoral mandate to axe the Privy Council, ACT leader Richard Prebble said today.

“Her reported comments that she would consult Maori, the courts, and the legal profession before presenting her views to Cabinet are arrogant, elitist, and racist. Every New Zealander has the right of access to our highest court and every New Zealander should be consulted before such an important change is made to our constitution. This is an issue that requires a referendum,” he said.

“The Attorney-General’s view of the world is very limited if she thinks she can get away with abolishing the court by just consulting these three groups who all have their own particular interests to pursue.

“Why not open it up to widespread discussion through the Justice and Electoral select committee? Is she afraid that she might lose her grip on arbitrarily changing the legal structure of this country?”

Mr Prebble said the government believed they could change the constitution by doing little or no consultation.

“Their arrogance is unbelievable. The Cabinet should at least give the New Zealand public the opportunity to comment on these issues before making unilateral decisions that will take away their rights.”
ENDS

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