Speaking out for justice in Parliamentary Select Committees

Speaking out for justice Cardinal Thomas Williams Homily, Sacred Heart Cathedral 15 May 1991 As long as the Gospel has to do with the dignity of the human person, with essential human rights, with integral human development, then it must give rise to ethical questions, moral questions about the values and priorities, that govern any socio- economic order, any policy, any enactment of legislation.

When the rights of property or commerce are not subordinated to the basic life needs of people for food, clothing, shelter, education, employment and health care, then the Church must say so. When political policies are limited to economic growth, to maximising profit and consumption, and disregard the social, cultural and spiritual needs of the whole person, then the Church must say so…. When the aspirations of the wealthy take priority over the needs of the disadvantaged, when the income gap widens, and when the numbers of the marginalised increase, then the Church must say so.

Speaking out for justice Forms of advocacy include: Letters Petitions Delegations Meetings Campaigns Submissions

Why make submissions? An opportunity in the law-making process in Parliament for community voices to be heard. An opportunity to express principles from Catholic social teaching and be a voice for vulnerable members of the community.

Who calls for submissions? Parliamentary Select Committees Government departments Commissions and other government established bodies (such as the Welfare Working Group) Community responses (such as the Alternative Welfare Working Group)

Caritas submissions Select Committees Social security legislation Prison legislation Employment legislation Foreshore and seabed legislation Government departments Review of children’s employment Review of Easter trading Review of Immigration laws

The Church cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible. She cannot and must not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She has to play her part through rational argument… Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 2006

SEE, JUDGE, ACT SEE: Text of the Bill Context of the Bill JUDGE What does my faith bring to my consideration of this Bill? What are the opinions of those who will be affected by this Bill? How will this impact on poor and vulnerable members of society? What specific experience do I/we have or do I/we need to comment on this Bill? ACT Write a submission Speak to a Select Committee Share your opinions and experience with others

A practical guide: making submissions

How do I know when submissions are being called for?

Select Committee website

Submissions can be made: on-line in writing Submitters can also request to speak to a Select Committee about their submission.

What does a submission look like? No standard template required. Caritas template: Introduction Summary Catholic social teaching principles and documents Explain experience we have drawn on Discuss our judgement of the Bill Useful to number paragraphs

How do I know what is in a Bill? Bennetts bookshop. Download from Links to useful government papers

Reading a Bill Starts with explanatory notes Legal text follows Sometimes stand-alone, other times refer s to previous legislation Some recommendations: ALWAYS look up the text of a Bill Do not have to comment on every clause, and every point – it is fine to just focus in on one or two key issues. If you are not a lawyer, don’t pretend to be one! Ask questions.

Understanding what is in a Bill? USEFUL RESOURCES Bills Digest – summary produced by the Parliamentary Library Hansard – record of Parliamentary debates on the legislation – a good summary of the issues! Bill of Rights assessment – Ministry of Justice

Understanding what is in a Bill Media commentary Explanations/commentary by different community organisations Public debate on a Bill

JUDGE – How do I know what Catholic social teaching says about this Bill? CST may not comment specifically on this particular legislation Need to look at what principles and ethics underlie the Church’s teaching on a particular issue. Consider how the Church has previously responded in similar circumstances. Separate Catholic teaching from our own opinion or judgement about the legislation.

CST resources Papal encyclicals and other Vatican documents Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference statements Previous submissions by other Catholic groups

Hints and recommendations: Don’t just look for quotes that support your own opinion! Look for balancing statements. Use your own experience, or practical experience that you are close to. Tell stories Draw principles that can be understood by a wide group of people

ACT Write your submission Check with others who may be commenting on the same Bill Send your submission to Parliament Speak to the Select Committee Let people know what your position is Follow the progress of the Bill through Parliament Celebrate your contribution!

Notes All submissions are on public record Select Committees are not fully covered by Parliamentary privilege. Protocol for talking to media. Meet the deadlines.

Appearing before a select committee 15 minutes One week’s notice (usually) Introduce submission and answer questions Forum for debate and discussion Hearings open to the public and media Hearings held mainly in Wellington, but people can request a hearing from different parts of the country

Hints Speak slowly and clearly Don’t feel that you have to get across all your points at once Use their questions to get across your key points