Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 25 July 2007

United Future in joint submission to select committee

United Future leader Peter Dunne and Green Party MP Keith Locke today made a joint submission at a Parliamentary select committee arguing against the proposed changes to the registration of births, deaths and marriages.

“We believe this Bill, in its current form, imposes unreasonable restrictions on the ability of New Zealanders to access information and is a threat to the openness of our society,” said Mr Dunne.

“By restricting access of records to individuals only, their immediate family and those authorised by them, this Bill if passed will have a severe impact on legitimate genealogical and historical research.

“While I recognise this bill has some legitimacy, to prevent identity theft, the incidents of identity fraud have dropped from 43 in 2003 to 8 in 2006 without the need for this legislation.

“The restrictions that this legislation threatens to impose are out of perspective to its purpose. It is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

“Both Keith and myself are committed to fighting this Bill, and it is indicative of the strengthening relationship between the ‘MMP Parties’ that we can successfully work together to strengthen our position on issues such as this,” concluded Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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