Dominion Post
(Not Yet Published)
July 21 2003

Peter Ellis and the Justice system in New Zealand
Letter to the Editor
by Mark Stead, (Te Puke)

The Ellis Case, which is once again in the media, has deep significance for all New Zealanders.

As long as lawyers and Judges are human, there will be mistakes made from time to time. People will be absolved of any penalties for crimes they did commit and wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit - everyone knows it happens, yet our Government refuses to even consider this.

I propose that the frequency or infrequency could be a measure of the standards of a country's judicial system. What society really needs to be concerned about is- what happens when a mistake may have been made. (Ellis for example). How the Government responds reflect the degree to which the government is committed to a free and FAIR justice system.  Phil Goff is half heartedly saying, "yes,... no , maybe" to a Royal Commission of Inquiry despite the Criminal Bar Association in Christchurch, voting 23-0 in favour of such an appointment. The people of New Zealand need to ask why and they are entitled to a straight answer.

The other secret arm of our judicial system the so-called Family Courts are the focus of growing disquiet, where , the mere allegations of an estranged spouse is sufficient to sentence a parent to a life without their children. Most disturbing of all is that this sentence is passed daily without there being any investigation into the validity or not of what is alleged.

The feminist movements of the past 30 years has infiltrated every arm of the judiciary in New Zealand and the judiciary in turn has responded by passing judgements that are aimed at pleasing these all powerful radical elements. The facts in each case have become irrelevant.

Phil Goff, by refusing to appoint a Royal Commission of Inquiry can no longer claim to have a justice system the envy of the Western World.