Good morning and welcome to the EPIC New Zealand Conference.

It is my pleasure to be here this morning.

I’d like to acknowledge the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for organising today’s forum.

Thank you to the ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Council, the New Zealand China Trade Association, the India New Zealand Business Council and ANZ Bank for your participation and support – your assistance is greatly appreciated.

I also acknowledge all our speakers, panellists and delegates here today. 

Innovative and motivated people like you make a positive difference to New Zealand’s economy and future prosperity.

Today is about supporting, empowering and networking with ethnic business people to build connections that will take New Zealand forward.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Hawke’s Bay Public Defence Service (PDS) office will be part of the high quality legal aid system this Government is working towards.

At the office’s official opening today, Ms Collins said the PDS delivers quality defence services to some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

“The PDS is well regarded by judges, prosecutors and court staff, and it delivers great value for money.

“It is an important component of the cost-effective, high quality legal aid system this Government is working towards,” Ms Collins said.

Minister for Ethnic Affairs Judith Collins says New Zealand’s ethnic businesses have a significant contribution to make to our nation’s economy, ahead of tomorrow’s Ethnic People in Commerce New Zealand (EPIC NZ) Conference. 

The Conference is organised by the Office of Ethnic Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It will focus on ways to support and tap into the potential of our small and medium sized ethnic businesses.

“EPIC NZ brings like-minded business people together to exchange ideas, build important partnerships and pursue opportunities in both onshore and offshore markets,” Ms Collins says.

“Building on the strengths of our ethnic business people is essential for a more competitive and productive economy and expanding New Zealand’s access to Asia-Pacific markets.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins officially opened the Dunedin Public Defence Service (PDS) office today.

The PDS provides an in-house legal aid service, through the use of salaried staff who work alongside contracted legal aid lawyers.

Ms Collins says the new Dunedin office will support the cost-effective, high quality legal aid system this Government is working towards.

“The PDS delivers quality defence services to some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.

A bill strengthening bail laws to improve public safety had its first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

The Bail Amendment Bill makes it harder for those accused of serious offences to get bail, and improves the integrity and operational effectiveness of our bail system.

“This Bill achieves the right balance between the public’s right to safety, and the right of alleged offenders to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

“New Zealanders deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. Our proposed changes will make it harder for the worst alleged offenders with a high risk of serious offending to get bail.

A Bill to extend the applicability of the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005 for a further year passed its first reading in Parliament today.

The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (2012 Expiry and Application Dates) Amendment Bill extends sunset clauses in the 2005 Act that would otherwise have caused certain provisions related to the award of prisoner compensation to lapse on 30 June 2012.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the new Bill bridges the gap between expiry of the current victims' claims process and progressing the Government's policy to redirect prisoner compensation to victims of crime.

“The Bill continues the current regime for one year. That means courts can only award compensation to prisoners for breaches of their human rights in extraordinary circumstances.