Submit!

The Justice and Electoral Committee has called for submissions on the Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill. Two copies, by Friday, 27 February 2009, to:

Committee Secretariat
Justice and Electoral Committee
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

The bill would allow police officers to respond to domestic violence by issuing alleged offenders with "police orders" exiling them from their homes for up to five days, with no requirement for evidence, no judicial oversight, and no legal comeback if they get it wrong. There are real doubts over whether this is a proportionate response to the problem, so if you have a view on it one way or another, you should let the committee know.

If you haven't submitted on legislation before, there's a handy guide here [PDF]; its as simple as writing a letter saying what you think of the law and why. While its easy to be cynical about the process, the MPs will at least have to read your submission, and on a bill like this, I think they will be influenced by what the public has to say.