Pettis Jill: Third Readings 
Pettis Jill: Third Readings 
[Volume:643;Page:12837] 
JILL PETTIS (Labour) 
: 
 I am pleased to speak in the third readings of the bills coming out of the Armed Forces Law Reform Bill. There has been no substantial reform of the military justice system in New Zealand since the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971 came into force in 1983. As we know domestic and international developments in human rights law particularly the enactment of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 necessitated a thorough review of the military justice system in New Zealand. The review most ably conducted by the New Zealand Defence Force recommended a large number of reforms. Those reforms are reflected in this bill which will amend the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971 the Courts Martial Appeals Act 1953 and the Defence Act 1990. 
The legislation will also make a number of consequential amendments. The amendments are the result of a review of the New Zealand military justice system conducted by the New Zealand Defence Force. The review was aimed at revising the system to take account of changes in domestic and international human rights law including the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. The legislation makes major and quite considerably far-reaching changes to New Zealand’s military justice system. These alterations were the subject of extensive internal consultation by the New Zealand Defence Force during the whole of the review period. 
Over 4 long and intensive years detailed input was sought from all members and at all levels of the armed forces including the Judge Advocate General. I had the pleasure of participating in some of the process of this legislation through the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee and I know that the committee wanted to commend wholeheartedly the legal staff of the New Zealand Defence Force for their competence and professionalism in the initiation and conduct of the review and the modernisation of the law. The whole review process was excellent and highly professional and we were proud to listen to the advice we were given by the legal arm of the New Zealand Defence Force personnel as they presented to the select committee. 
 Military discipline has changed considerably and today as a consequence of this armed forces reform legislation it more closely reflects the social mores of present society. The legislation is a reflection of the many changes we have seen in society not only in our relatively short lifetimes but also in the history of the military in New Zealand. The discipline meted out today is far different from what it was even 30 years ago and if we look back through the annals of history we see that what was acceptable in our parents’ day and grandparents’ day is no longer relevant today. 
The Labour-led Government believes that the same rights enjoyed by civilians in the criminal justice system should be applied to our armed forces personnel under the military justice system. The purpose of this legislation is to establish an effective and fair system of military justice and I believe that it does that partly because of the highly professional work that was done during the 4 years of the review. The current military justice system is governed by the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971. However domestic and international developments in human rights laws as well as the enactment of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act made it necessary to review the military justice system as I referred to before. 
I take this opportunity to compliment the New Zealand Defence Force personnel who make us very proud when they serve internationally and domestically and I commend the legal staff of the New Zealand Defence Force for the work they have done to modernise the armed forces legislation. Thank you. 
Bills read a third time.