Privilege laws to be reviewed

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 44

Privilege laws to be reviewed

PA Wellington The relevance of the present law on Parliamentary privilege will be examined next year, says the Speaker, Dr Wall.

It would be considered as part of the continuing review of the practice and procedures of the House by the Parliamentary Standing Orders Committee during the last year, said Dr Wall. The committee has called for submissions on the issue. “This is a matter of very considerable importance both to Parliament itself and to the public because it protects the freedom of expression of the elected representatives in Parliament and the rights of Parlia-

ment itself,” Dr Wall said. It was more than a century since privilege had been seriously considered by Parliament in New Zealand, he said.

In Australia, however, it has been reviewed several times. Dr Wall said the issue was difficult and not widely understood. It affected the relationship between Parliament and the Courts, the Cabinet, the Crown, and the public. “It is not expected that the review will be quickly or easily completed, but it is certainly time that this matter was re-examined in the light of modern New Zealand conditions,” he said.