Wednesday, 20th August 2008

NZ Courts fail kiwis in favour of boobs on bikes - Copeland

Independent MP and Kiwi Party candidate Gordon Copeland today expressed his dismay at the decision by the Auckland District Court to allow the "Boobs on bikes" parade to proceed.

"Quite frankly, this bizarre decision is an affront to our democracy," said Mr Copeland. "The Auckland City Council, as the duly elected representatives of the City's citizens, deliberately passed a bylaw to put a stop to Steve Crow's parade."

"That is called democracy and in my view the role of the Courts is to uphold such decisions when they are very clearly inline with the wishes of the majority of Aucklanders and designed to advance the common good."

"I'm dismayed that an unelected Judge, who doesn't appear to have the commonsense to place the most favourable interpretation on the Council's bylaw, has instead decided to allow a parade to go head, even although it is clearly contrary to the common good of the City."

"I lament the growing ignorance displayed in such decisions in relation to the concept of the common good which has been the foundation stone on which the law of New "Boobs on bikes" parade to proceed.

"Quite frankly, this bizarre decision is an affront to our democracy," said Mr Copeland. "The Auckland City Council, as the duly elected representatives of the City's citizens, deliberately passed a bylaw to put a stop to Steve Crow's parade."

"That is called democracy and in my view the role of the Courts is to uphold such decisions when they are very clearly inline with the wishes of the majority of Aucklanders and designed to advance the common good."

"I'm dismayed that an unelected Judge, who doesn't appear to have the commonsense to place the most favourable interpretation on the Council's bylaw, has instead decided to allow a parade to go head, even although it is clearly contrary to the common good of the City."

"I lament the growing ignorance displayed in such decisions in relation to the concept of the common good which has been the foundation stone on which the law of New Zealand has been constructed since the Treaty of Waitangi."

"The Court has, once again, failed the people and I believe it is now time for Parliament to step into the breach and clarify the law in favour of the empowerment of local councils and their communities."

Mr Copeland also expressed his dismay that Steve Crow now has a Wellington boobs on bikes parade in his sights.

"I urge Wellingtonians to make their view on this matter known to Kerry Prendergast and the Wellington City Council as a matter of urgency."

"Why must we always spiral downwards to accommodate the lowest common denominator on these issues? It is time to put the welfare of our children and our families back where it belongs - as the number one priority in our nation."

ENDS

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