The New Zealand Outdoors Party is stunned that the government proceeded with strict lockdown rules and threats of prosecution despite preliminary Crown legal advice that government’s plans were unlawful.
The lockdown rules prohibiting outdoors activities such as swimming, fishing, hunting and boating were very wide said NZ Outdoors Party co-leader and lawyer Sue Grey.
“I could not understand how solitary outdoor activities could spread a virus.” “It was frustrating looking at the calm water across the road from my home in Nelson and being told it was suddenly illegal to paddle-board or kayak there”.
As more evidence became available, it became clear that early Covid models had greatly exaggerated the risks. Sue Grey started researching and quickly found that the powers relied on to prohibit outdoor activities only applied to congregations.
“The law made sense. The government’s notices did not,” she said.
No Reply
Sue Grey sent her analysis to the Prime Minister and Attorney General and asked them to explain if she was wrong. After receiving no reply, she went paddle boarding.
“It’s important to walk the walk to stand by your beliefs” says Grey. “It shook me that our long established rights and freedoms suddenly felt so fragile. I took a pile of legal analysis with me in a plastic bag, in case I was “dobbed in” or challenged by the Police. It has shaken me even more to now learn that our Prime Minister and government appear to have deliberately misled the public. How dare they encourage people to “dob in” others for breaking fake laws. It’s fundamental to the rule of law that government must obey the law. The failure to do so is tyranny.”
The New Zealand Outdoors Party has released a series of press releases and videos, and sent a series of correspondence with Attorney-General David Parker and Crown Law, asking for release of legal advice in the public interest. It’s very important that the public understand the process and advice relied on by the government, and what respect the Crown gives to the law. “How can the public be expected to comply with rules when there are doubts about their legality, and whether the Crown is misleading us” says Sue Grey.
Sue Grey gave legal advice on video which has had 5400 views. https://youtu.be/pIRsHdHJNoI
Prime Time
New Zealanders were told to stay in their homes under threats of prosecution if they went outdoors to enjoy activities and as a result trampers, boaters, hunters, fishers and many other outdoors people missed much of the prime autumn season.
“People seemed afraid to question authority. Perhaps it was the government messaging that was designed to make it feel unpatriotic to ask questions. Even national representative hunting and fishing bodies acquiesced. We should always feel safe to ask questions”, said Sue Grey. “If we don’t step up and exercise our freedom of speech and other rights and freedoms, they will be eroded.”
Footnotes–
Contact:- Sue Grey LLB (Hons), BSc, PO Box 1653 Nelson, NZ, pH +64 22 6910586
The Council of Outdoor Recreational Association is “apolitical” but will fully consider publishing press releases from any political party
© Trampers, boaters, hunters, fishers and many other outdoors people missed much of the prime autumn season says NZ Outdoor Party.
