Coleman Jonathan: Coroners Bill — In Committee 
Coleman Jonathan: Coroners Bill — In Committee 
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Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (National—Northcote) 
: 
 In resuming my speech in the Committee stage of the Coroners Bill I note that it is now some 2½ months since we were last in Committee to discuss this bill. I think that warrants a quick recap. The National Party will support this bill. The bill aims to reform the coronial system to improve its effectiveness. It aims also to ensure that the system responds better to the needs of bereaved families—[ 
Interruption 
] If Bob listened he might realise that this may apply to him some day. It aims also to address the cultural and spiritual needs of all New Zealanders. We live in a modern and dynamic society. I do not think anyone would deny that the make-up of our society has changed considerably since the original Act governing coronial functions was drafted. I think it is important the legislation reflects that. 
The purpose of this bill really is to help prevent deaths and to promote justice through investigating and identifying the causes and circumstances of sudden or unexplained deaths or deaths that occur in special circumstances. This legislation will allow coroners to make recommendations or comments with the aim of reducing the number of further deaths in similar circumstances. 
The legislation has a number of key elements. Firstly it will establish the office of a chief coroner a position we have not had before. Prior to this many coroners have operated on a part-time basis. I think it is worthwhile that the Chamber pay tribute to the men and women who have held the position of coroner over the years. We currently have 54 coroners most of them working on a part-time basis. They come from many different professions and backgrounds. Many of them come from the police the legal professions and the medical professions. But now with the appointment of 20 full-time coroners many of those people will be forced to reapply for their positions. This is one point on which the National Party may take issue with the drafting of the bill. It could be considered unconstitutional and indeed unfair just to dismiss these people after so many years of service with no compensation. I think the legislation needs to address that point. Also a workforce issue could arise in managing to get 20 full-time fully legally qualified people to maintain this function in the future. 
A key element of this legislation is to ensure that families are notified at each step of the coronial process. When people are in distress over the loss of a loved one the timeliness of the inquiry can often make a huge difference to how they deal with the grieving process. One of the good things about this legislation is that it will standardise processes throughout the country so that whenever a New Zealander comes into contact with the coronial system that person and their family can be assured that they will be subject to a standardised process that is the same the length and breadth of the country. This legislation will set down guidelines for professional standards to which coroners will adhere. Of course coroners have performed their function to the highest standards of professionalism but the terms under which they operate and what may be called their practice guidelines have never really been established. A key function of the chief coroner will be to oversee the performance of and the standardised procedures carried out by the 20 new full-time coroners. 
This bill also introduces a specific regime for the retention and release of body parts and bodily samples. My colleagues will address that issue in the debate on later parts of the bill. I know that Dr Worth has a specific interest in that. As he said some 2½ months ago it can be extremely distressing for a family after a death when a body may have been interred or cremated to receive some time afterwards—via the postal system or some other means of delivery—body parts and bodily specimens relating to their loved one.