Media Statement

Environment Court decision reinforces Labour fears

Labour MP Jacinda Ardern says the Regulations Review Committee’s decision on three complaints about increased Environment Court filing fees backs Labour’s fears that Kiwis might be denied access to the Court.

“Labour always believed the increased fees --- up almost tenfold from $55 to $500 --- would have a detrimental effect, and while the committee has not been able to determine whether this is happening, it has been concerned enough to keep the complaints under review for a year in case there is new evidence,” Jacinda Ardern said.

“It is now up to the Government to find a way to work out whether Kiwis are being denied access to the Court.

“I am alarmed that the fees were put up without anyone bothering to put in a system to monitor whether the increase did have an effect.

“That shows a cavalier approach toward the cost that potential and legitimate litigants face.”

Jacinda Ardern said she welcomed the select committee’s decision to issue an interim report.

“The difficulty for the committee has been assessing the actual effect at this stage of the increased fees, but the cautious finding validates Labour’s concerns.

“It underlines the importance of the Government finding a practical way of monitoring the impact so that the committee can determine whether access to the Court is being safeguarded or not.”

ENDS

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