Criticism of Justice system needs to be heard

PeterEllis.org.nz 24 April 2006

Criticism of NZ Justicesystem needs to be listened to.

Australian judgeRodney Madgwick has delivered a verdict that effectively says that those accused of historical sex abuse allegationsin New Zealand are unable to get a fair trial. Thisjudgment follows the recent petition associated with theChristchurch Creche case concerned with similar issues. The petition requested a commission of inquiry, headed by anoverseas judge, into the way sex abuse allegations areinvestigated and prosecuted in NZ.

Peterellis.org.nzrenews calls for such a commission of inquiry to take placeurgently, spokesperson Brian Robinson said today. "NewZealand is reaping the consequences of failing to dealhonestly and effectively with the failure of justice in theChristchurch Creche case, both in the conduct of theinvestigation and trial and the provision of remediesafterwards."

Sex abuse is a terrible crime, but counteringsuch abuse is not advanced by locking up innocent men, orcondoning a system that has been branded by Judge Madgwickas "unjust and oppressive".

Peterellis.org.nz also callson all lawyers who have rushed in with knee-jerk reactionsto defend the system, to step back a while, and actuallyread the full judgment of Rodney Madgwick. The appropriateaction is not to whinge that NZ is being treated unfairlybut to fix the glaring defects in our legal system. Madgwick's comments equate our judicial system to that of abanana republic, as lawyer John Miller has pointed out. Rather than petulantly calling out "nonsense" and "bizarre"lawyers would be better advised to make suggestions toimprove our justice system - to at least the standard, orbetter - of what is expected inAustralia.

ENDS

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