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>http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2004/cookis4476.html > >kia ora na pmw, > >please find attached copies of new draft legislation. >some initial comments: > >1. journalists in new zealand and australia have >warned strongly against giving any kind of legislative >powers over the news media. >2. government has previously tried to censor freedoms >of speech, first with the 1995 media standards bill, >which was dropped after a public petition, and a 1996 >constitutional amendment to remove high court >protections from permanent residents, also withdrawn >(after pressure from the country's largest aid donor, >new zealand). >3. government's track record of enforcement of >existing laws is poor. for example, in december 2002, >the director of environment services said there had >only been three prosecutions in ten years. over the >same time, the ministry of health, for another >example, has not tabled an annual report with >parliament, nor has it till today. >4. government's track record of consultation is good, >but accountability poor. for example, the 1998 >political review commission surveyed the public >widely, but few of the good governance provisions, >including a code of conduct, have been implemented. an >environmental bill still contains provisions that have >attracted wide opposition. > >overall, government however should be commended for >releasing the draft legislation for public comment. >this is a process that should be followed for all >legislation. > >more soon, thanks

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