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Public Records Bill (Consistent) (sections 5, 14) [2004] NZBORARp 23 (23 June 2004)
Last Updated: 19 March 2021
Public Records Bill
23 June 2004
Attorney-General
LEGAL ADVICE
CONSISTENCY WITH THE NEW ZEALAND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
1990
PUBLIC RECORDS BILL
- We
have considered the Public Records Bill (PCO version 5269/4) for consistency
with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (the
"Bill of Rights Act"). We
understand that this Bill is to be considered by the Cabinet Legislation
Committee at its meeting on 1
July 2004.
- The
Bill repeals the Archives Act 1957 and the document and archive provisions of
the Local Government Act 1974. This Bill reflects
developments in technology,
legislation and recordkeeping practices that have occurred in the preceding
years.
- The
Explanatory note accompanying the Bill describes the overriding purpose of the
Bill as being to "improve the accountability of
government organisations,
enhance democratic participation in government and contribute to New Zealand's
national identity."
- The
Bill:
- establishes a
framework under which public records can be managed;
- ensures that the
recordkeeping requirements of the Bill extend to as broad a range of government
activities as practicable; and
- provides for the
preservation and accessibility of public archives.
- In
order to achieve these objectives, the Bill provides a legal framework under
which public records are created, stored, preserved,
disposed of and made
accessible.
- This
legislative framework raises issues of consistency with section 14 of the Bill
of Rights Act (the right to freedom of
expression)[1] where it
restricts public access to certain records and requires organisations and
individuals to maintain, preserve, or deal with
particular documents and records
in particular ways.
- However,
we consider that the limits on the right to freedom of expression are reasonable
and are justifiable in terms of section
5 of the Bill of Rights Act. The
restrictions are related to the overriding purpose of the Bill as set out in
paragraph 3 above.
We also consider that the restrictions on the use of or
access to records are no broader than what is considered necessary to achieve
the purposes of the Bill.
Conclusion
- We
have considered whether provisions of the Public Records Bill raise issues of
inconsistency with section 14 of the Bill of Rights
Act. We have come to the
conclusion that while the Bill raises prima facie issues of inconsistency
with the right to freedom of expression, the limitations appear to be reasonable
in terms of section 5.
- The
Bill therefore appears to be consistent with the Bill of Rights Act.
- In
accordance with your instructions, we attach a copy of this opinion for referral
to the Minister of Justice. A copy is also attached
for referral to the Minister
Responsible for Archives if you agree.
Val Sim Chief Legal Counsel Office of Legal Counsel
|
Boris van Beusekom Senior Legal Adviser Bill of Rights/Human Rights
Team
|
cc Minister of Justice
Minister Responsible for Archives
In addition to the general disclaimer for all documents on this website,
please note the following: This advice was prepared to assist
the
Attorney-General to determine whether a report should be made to Parliament
under s 7 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
in relation to the Public
Records Bill. It should not be used or acted upon for any other purpose.
The advice does no more than assess whether the Bill complies with
the minimum
guarantees contained in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. The release of this
advice should not be taken to indicate
that the Attorney-General agrees with all
aspects of it, nor does its release constitute a general waiver of legal
professional privilege
in respect of this or any other matter. Whilst care has
been taken to ensure that this document is an accurate reproduction of the
advice provided to the Attorney-General, neither the Ministry of Justice nor the
Crown Law Office accepts any liability for any errors
or omissions.
[1] Section 14
provides that:
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom
to seek, receive, and impart information of any kind in any form.
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