Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill. It's important at the third reading stage that we acknowledge our Government partners New Zealand First in a really important piece of legislation that brings a greater sense of justice and fairness to our current justice system. It's not that long ago when we've heard many contributions through the media and through other discussions around really high-profile cases such as those of Teina Pora and the miscarriage of justice carried out through those areas that received so much discussion publicly and it's important to note that this will be an improvement.The key part that this bill enables is to replace the royal prerogative of mercy by establishing the CCR the Criminal Cases Review Commission. This is able to be done when there is a suspected miscarriage of justice and that's exactly what the problem has been in the past: it's very unclear sometimes when a miscarriage of justice has happened. It's important to note too that I go back to the departmental report that was done by the Justice Committee which I sit on and specifically outlines in that report—it is stated that this commission is designed to be more accessible and transparent than the current system and they note particularly for Māori and Pacific people. There are often issues in terms of access to justice and making sure that everybody is treated equally before the law that in some instances in the past there have not been good avenues and access to justice that this legislation seeks to rectify—so by having a clear pathway and by having a commission that is able to be more transparent for the fact that it is in fact an independent body that is able to review the convictions and sentences where there is that suspected miscarriage of justice.It has the ability to do several things in terms of what further steps can be taken. If the commission considers that no further action needs to be taken that is within their power but it can also refer cases back to the appeal courts. But it does not determine guilt or innocence. The commission itself will replace the referral power currently exercised by the Governor-General and that's under section 406 of the Crimes Act—so by having the ability to have that greater transparency and in matters looking at those to come to the attention during exercise of those functions that are carried out regularly.So there's already been a mention by the Minister of Justice tonight of overseas jurisdictions and with those overseas jurisdictions that have a similar function a similar commission the bill requires that a third of the members have legal qualifications and two-thirds of the members have relevant knowledge. That's important because it's important to have that knowledge of the criminal justice system.At least one member of the commission also must have knowledge or understanding of Te Ao Māori Māori tikanga and concepts of Te Ao Māori. I think that goes back to my point already made at the beginning that it's incredibly important that we look at access to justice. This has been a particular issue for iwi Māori in the past for making sure that there is a clear pathway for review if there has ever been a thought that there has been a miscarriage of justice and making sure that there are no obstacles to be able to see that.In terms of what the role of the CCR is: to be a final opportunity to deal with credible claims of miscarriage of justice and to have a way of putting that through in a way that the public is clear of what is happening and that there is transparency not only for those who are accused and before the courts not only those who are victims of crime but also for the public also for New Zealanders to understand what is happening. If there is consideration that we have an independent commission that has a greater level of transparency I think that gives New Zealanders a greater sense of confidence within our justice system that it is operating fair that it is operating in a way that is not showing favour to any particular group or any particular area and that there is a sense of being able to provide a clear review when there is concern that someone hasn't received fair access to justice.I think this is an excellent bill. I'm grateful for the Minister for doing the work on this; I'm grateful for our partners in Government New Zealand First as being a part of our coalition agreement; and I commend this bill to the House.