Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

52% tyranny of a majority

Maxim Institute
Media release

09 October 2003

52% tyranny of a majority

Major constitutional change to abolish the 162 year old right of appeal to the Privy Council must have widespread public support, says Maxim Institute Director Bruce Logan.

"Proceeding to severe this important link with just 52% support of Parliament amounts to tyranny by a slim majority. It is an abuse of power that shows how easily our liberty can be threatened."

New Zealanders must have a say on whether they want appeals to an esteemed international court cut off and replaced by a Wellington based Supreme Court, says Bruce Logan.

"The Labour administration supported by the Greens has no public mandate for this move. Instead it is fulfillment of an ideological agenda."

Maxim Institute supports the amendment to the Supreme Court Bill for a referendum requiring 66% public support to abolish Privy Council appeals before a local Supreme Court is established.

Mr Logan says United Future is to be congratulated for deciding to oppose the Supreme Court Bill and declare its support for the referendum promoted by ACT, National and New Zealand First.

"United Future has rightly acknowledged that a constitutional change of this magnitude must have significant public support. This is not a decision or process that should be rushed."

By ignoring the opposition expressed by the business and legal communities the government has demonstrated its agenda is more important than addressing genuine concern, says Mr Logan.

Ends.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.