Judicial Review judgment released - 6/09/2012

Mayor Annette Main today said the Council has received the judgment of The Honourable Justice R Young, in respect of the judicial review proceedings brought by Wanganui District Council.

“We are disappointed that our proceedings were dismissed, however Justice Young did find that Council had standing in bringing those proceedings,” says Mayor Main.

“This is confirmation that as a Council we were right to make this challenge. Our valid role has been acknowledged, in challenging the lawfulness of decisions such as the one made by the Corrections Department and the Parole Board, in regard to Stewart Murray Wilson’s release, when the facts and decision-making process were made available to us.

“Undertaking this judicial review proceeding was the only way we could access the details of the decision-making process that led to Wanganui being selected as the location for Mr. Wilson’s parole.

“It is disappointing that we were not able to have the necessary information in any other way than via a High Court proceeding.

“Council will seek legal advice on grounds to appeal the dismissal of our case. A decision on the likelihood of an appeal proceeding has yet to be made by the Council.

“Legislation changes are now required urgently to ensure that other communities across New Zealand are not placed in the situation we were.

“I am especially pleased that Councils as representatives of their communities would be able to have standing with the Court if they chose to take similar action.”