Maxim Institute

MEDIA RELEASE

4 July 2003

Government must listen to the country

Maxim Institute supports the campaign by ACT, National and New Zealand First to secure enough signatures for a referendum on the final right of appeal to the Privy Council in London.

Maxim Managing Director, Greg Fleming says the referendum is the last chance people have to ensure their views are heard on whether this longstanding appeal is retained.

"Maxim will actively promote the petition to gain sufficient support to require a referendum. There is no other alternative when the government appears determined to advance its agenda to severe this important link.

"The move to abolish this highest level of appeal is a major constitutional change which should have widespread support from New Zealanders.

Maxim is committed to informed public debate and will promote the petition to achieve the 310,000 signatures needed for the referendum on the question: "Should all rights of appeal to the Privy Council be abolished?"

Mr Fleming says it is difficult to have confidence that Supreme Court appointments won't be subject to political manipulation or that judicial activism won't start determining laws."

"No such changes of this extent should be made without the express endorsement of the New Zealand people. Such a major change to our constitution can't afford to be politicised."

Ends.

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