The Register of pecuniary interests of judges Bill - pulled today from the Parliamentary private members' bill ballot - will provide greater transparency within the judicial system, Green Party justice spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today.
The Register of pecuniary interests of judges Bill will require Judges to make an annual return of their pecuniary interests to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. This information will be made publicly available.
“The purpose of my member’s bill is to promote greater transparency within the judicial system,” said Dr Graham.
“The messy situation around former justice Bill Wilson could have been avoided had New Zealand had a register of the financial interests of members of the judiciary.
“While the case against Justice Wilson has been dropped, it was the perception of a conflict has led to his resignation.
“The Bill will also assist those in the judiciary to avoid any conflict of interest in their judicial role,” said Dr Graham.
“Open and honest government is the cornerstone of our democracy and promoting transparency for the judiciary can only assist New Zealand’s reputation.”
