June 29, 2021
Police hate speech power step too far
Former New Zealand First minister Shane Jones says the proposed hate speech law goes too far.
The bill is a response to the Royal Commission on the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Mr Jones says at a time the Government is complaining about the loss of free speech rights in Hong Kong, it is circulating a discussion document that will chill free speech in New Zealand.
There is already law on the books covering people who use speech to incite violence and create harm.
"I think even the Royal Commission itself would be horrified its name was being used to not only chill free speech but to hand over the role to the police as to what is an acceptable level of political discourse in speech in New Zealand society. I absolutely resent that. That gives more power to the states and less to citizens," Mr Jones says.
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