Goldsmith said while the right to protest is a cornerstone of “New Zealand’s democracy”, recent incidents of demonstrations targeting private residences — particularly those of public figures such as MPs, judges, and officials — had raised concerns about privacy and safety.
“Everyone in New Zealand, and their families, should be able to expect peace and privacy in their own home, no matter what their daytime job is,” he said. “We intend to stop this intrusive behaviour, while protecting the public’s right to demonstrate in a reasonable manner.”
The legislation will create a new offence for engaging in a targeted, disruptive demonstration outside a residential property, with penalties of up to three months in jail or a $2,000 fine. The offence will only apply to protests directed at a person in their home and will consider factors such as the time of day, duration, noise levels, actions of demonstrators, and proximity to the residence.
Goldsmith emphasised that the measure is a “reasonable limitation” under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, balancing the right to protest with the right to privacy. “Unreasonable intrusions into people’s privacy are simply unacceptable,” he said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
The legislation will create a new offence for engaging in a targeted, disruptive demonstration outside a residential property, with penalties of up to three months in jail or a $2,000 fine. The offence will only apply to protests directed at a person in their home and will consider factors such as the time of day, duration, noise levels, actions of demonstrators, and proximity to the residence.
Goldsmith emphasised that the measure is a “reasonable limitation” under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, balancing the right to protest with the right to privacy. “Unreasonable intrusions into people’s privacy are simply unacceptable,” he said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
1 comment:
I agree with this new law.
If I am vehemently opposed to what political position Mr or Ms X promote, I have a right to make my opposition known through protesting against it. The target of my protest is the political paradigm in question. But taking my protest to their home is personalising it.
In a democracy, we have, or should have, an absolute right to voice opposition to ideologies, but we do not automatically have a right to take that opposition into the private space of whomever is promoting that which we don't like.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.