16 November 2018

Significant questions remain for the Justice Select Committee as it finishes hearing oral evidence from more than 2,000 New Zealanders on the End of Life Choice Bill.

While more than 36,000 unique written submissions were received – an unprecedented number in the history of New Zealand politics – only 20,231 have so far been uploaded to the Parliament website. What has happened to the others?

Just as important, has anyone (MPs or officials) actually read all of the submissions? Have officials prepared an analysis of the submissions, and what does it say? (Spoiler alert: the Care Alliance has analysed 14,300 submissions so far, and it’s running at more than 90 percent opposed.)

How many of the submissions has David Seymour personally read, and which ones gave him pause to think again? What evidence would change his mind, or does he remain convinced of his infallible wisdom to make life and death decisions?

The Justice Select Committee is due to report back to the House by 27 March next year, at which point we will know the answer to the key question: are they really listening to the concerns of New Zealanders?

ENDS

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