National backs call for Privy Council referendum

National's Justice spokesman is backing a call for cross party support in promoting a referendum on the abolition of rights of appeal to the Privy Council.

"Major constitutional issues should have wide public support," says Richard Worth. "The proposals to sever links with the Privy Council, which goes back to 1841, and establish a new local Court are far reaching, and deserve careful consideration.

"The current Government appears to have overlooked a statement made by then Acting Labour Leader, Michael Cullen, in January 1997 in response to the National Government's decision to retain the appeal right to the Privy Council.

"It does not make sense to deal with this matter in isolation from a comprehensive review and discussion on New Zealand's future constitutional development."

"No such comprehensive review and discussion has taken place, and the Government should heed the advice of Dr Cullen and withdraw the legislation," says Mr Worth.

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