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On Free Speech And Anti-Semitism

On Free Speech And Anti-Semitism

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According to Workplace Health and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden, employers are having to endure a 'culture of fear' created by Worksafe, which has the power to prosecute them if if they are operating unsafe workplaces. There seems to be only anecdotal evidence - from employers at a government roadshow - that Worksafe has ever used its powers indiscriminately, or that good employers need to worry about a visit by the labour inspectorate.
Regardless, and despite New Zealand's terrible track record of workplace-related deaths, injuries and illnesses - demonstrably worse than in the UK or Australia - it is going to be made harder in future to find anyone criminally liable. As we did before in the early 1990s, an already underfunded enforcement regime is going to be turned back towards one of voluntary compliance by employers, who will be advised on how to put into practice the codes of conduct that they have been invited to write. Worksafe is being told to prioritise this 'advice' and 'guidance' role.
Van Velden also indicated to Jack Tame on Q&A on the weekend, that she's looking at clarifying (i.e. reducing) the responsibilities of company directors and managers, with respect to their liability for the workplace conditions in the companies that they steward. Van Velden cited the White Island prosecutions as an example of the net of prosecutions being cast too widely.
So if employers, directors and managers are to be held less liable in future, just who is being made more liable? Workers. To RNZ, Van Velden has said the re-balancing at Worksafe would include 'strengthening its approach to worker breaches of duty.' Talk about blaming the victim.
Finally, and as Tame pointed out to Van Velden, this new soft-line approach to employers is not at all like the way that the government treats beneficiaries. There's an obvious double standard. Allegedly, employers require guidance, lest they live in fear of being sanctioned for their sub-standard workplace conditions and/or dangerous work practices. Yet the poor are treated as if they require sanctions, as if living in fear of losing their meagre income will improve their behaviour.
Employers are to receive the carrot of guidance, the poor are getting the stick of sanctions. So it goes, under this most Dickensian of governments.
Natives, being restless
Looking back… how terrifying it must have been for the members of the ACT Party to be challenged by a real live haka performed by real live brown people within the safe and familiar confines of the debating chamber. Gosh. To think that MPs still have to endure such goings on, despite all that the coalition government has done so far to rid the political process of anything that smacks of biculturalism.
Funny though… those uniquely harsh sentences on the three Te Pāti Māori MPs, were applauded by the same ACT Party that - only a few months ago - took steps to compel universities t o allow the peddlers of misinformation to have access to the nation's campuses. In 2019, ACT Party leader David Seymour even called for the funding to be cut to tertiary institutions that did not take an all-comers approach to speakers on campus.
"It is not the role of universities to protect students from ideas they find offensive….' Mr Seymour said.
On one hand, ACT Party MPs are to be protected from being exposed to interruptions and/or challenges. But trans people, or other vulnerable student minorities on campus? ACT's message to them is tough shit, and suck it up - because the cause of free speech trumps all other concerns, as long as it is not being directed at them.
Odd indeed that a libertarian party committed to free speech should be deploying the forces of the state to compel universities to throw open their doors to anyone, without apparent heed to the consequences. One has to wonder whether this licence will be extended to Holocaust deniers, and to advocates of the Great Replacement Theory promulgated by the Christchurch mosque shooter, Brenton Tarrant. This is happening in the absence of evidence that there is a problem on campus that requires this level of heavy handed, pre-emptive intervention by the state.
Saying sorry
For the record: the haka in Parliament did not disrupt the taking of the first reading vote on The Treaty Principles Bill. It occurred after the votes from the other political parties had been cast and tallied, as the footage from Parliament clearly shows. Mr Speaker could have said - 'I take that to be three votes against,' and moved on. At that point, the vote's outcome was not in question. In context then, the performance of the haka was an expression of resistance meant to signal that Māori would continue to resist this legislative attempt to unilaterally change the nature of the Crown's partnership with Māori.
To that end, the haka protest was a case of Māori representatives, protesting in Māori against an injustice being done to Māori, and it was occurring within the same precinct where the injustice was unfolding. IMO, you could hardly find a more appropriate time and place for that expression of free speech, delivered in one of the three languages formally recognised byParliament.
Not only has the punishment been bizarrely disproportionate to the offence, but so have the calls for Te Pāti Māori to have made a plea deal in mitigation, by apologising for their defiance. Really? In the light of the time, effort and taxpayer money wasted by the ACT Party in bringing their pre-destined-to-fail Bill into Parliament, there should have been calls made - simultaneously - for the ACT Party to apologise. Seriously. We might then have had genuine grounds for a compromise.
The Action Against Universities
ACT's recent move to restrict the discretion of universities is disturbing on several grounds. But here's a contemporary concern. In the US, the Trump administration's recent attacks on major universities like Harvard - and their international students - has been aimed at punishing campus demonstrations against US/Israeli policy on Gaza, and at deterring university councils from divesting their sizeable investments in Israel.
As yet, protests against Gaza have not been not as prominent on campuses here. Here's how the Gaza issue could easily come to the fore. New Zealand joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as an observer on June 24, 2022. The IHRA is an inter-governmental body based in Stockholm that is solely devoted to anti-Holocaust activities. It has at least 31 full member countries (including Australia) and also 8 'observer' countries, including New Zealand.
As of June 24, New Zealand will reportedly be obliged to pay 30,000 euros to the IHRA to maintain its observer status. Alternatively, New Zealand could always apply for full IHRA membership, under the tutelage of an existing full member, presumably, Australia. If that happened, it would be interesting for New Zealanders to be given lessons by Australians on how to promote better race relations.
To attain even our current 'observer' status, New Zealand would have previously had to (among other things) submitted an application letter signed by either our Minister of Foreign Affairs or our Minister of Education. New Zealand would have also agreed to abide by these conditions. For example: we will have had to complete a survey on the state of Holocaust education, remembrance, and research in the country, which will have been submitted to the IHRA Permanent Office at least eight weeks before the Plenary meeting at which the interested government seeks admission as an Observer.
Evidently - since New Zealand does now have observer status within the IHRA - we did all of the above. Much as some NZ politicians profess to oppose the use of the education curriculum for social engineering purposes, there would be few New Zealanders who would oppose a commitment to ensuring that nothing like the Holocaust ever happens again.
But here's the not un-related problem. In December 2023, the US Congress passed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act that placed a very broad definition of anti-Semitism, promoted by the IHRA at the centre of federal civil rights law. At the time, some voices in US higher education circles expressed concern worried that this definition could have a chilling effect on free speech on campus.The key element in all of this was the controversial 'working definition' of anti-Semitism that has been promoted since 2016 by the IHRA. The IHRA website containing this definition is here.
This definition of anti-Semitism has come under fire, from Jews and non-Jews alike. In Australia, the IHRA definition has been criticised by numerous academics and human rights lawyers as an infringement on academic freedom, free speech and the right to political protest. The IHRA has also faced a global backlash from Palestinian and Arab scholars who argue its definition of anti-Semitism, which includes 'targeting the state of Israel', could be used to shut down legitimate criticism of Israel and stifle the freedom of expression, citing the banning of events supporting Palestinian rights on campuses after the definition was adopted by universities in the UK.
In 2023, Nick Reimer the president of the Sydney branch of the Tertiary Education Union described the adoption of the IHRA definition as an 'outright attack on academic freedom'.'[The IHRA] will prevent universities doing what they're meant to do … critically analyse the contemporary world without concern for lobbies,' he said. 'A powerful political lobby is trying to stifle the course of free debate in universities..'
Kenneth Stern, who self-identifies as a Zionist (and who was the lead drafter of the IHRA definition) has since spoken out in the New Yorker magazine against the misuse of the IHRA definition by right wing Jewish extremists. Among Stern's concerns is that the IHRA definition could be weaponised to stifle legitimate protest.
So here's the thing. IF ACT feels driven to protect free speech on campus, would it oppose - or would it support - the adoption by university councils of the definition of anti-Semitism being promoted by the IHRA? In 2018, the Auckland University Students Association formally adopted the IHRA definition, but it is unclear whether student unions at any other NZ university have followed suit, let alone any NZ university administrations.
Would ACT - as a a self-declared champion of free speech on controversial issues - support or oppose them doing so, given how the definition has allegedly been weaponised to restrict free speech?
The Other Option
Thankfully, the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is not the only option on the table. A competing definition of anti-Semitism emerged in 2021, largely in order to remedy the concerns held about the sweeping ambit of the IHRA definition.
The Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism is available here. It makes significant distinctions that are lacking in the IHRA document. Some of its guidelines are striking in nature. In context, it condones the controversial 'from the river to the sea' slogan and the boycott and divestment programme as being legitimate expressions of political protest.
As Guideline 12 says:
12. Criticizing or opposing Zionism as a form of nationalism, or arguing for a variety of constitutional arrangements for Jews and Palestinians in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. It is not antisemitic to support arrangements that accord full equality to all inhabitants 'between the river and the sea,' whether in two states, a binational state, unitary democratic state, federal state, or in whatever form.
And here's Guideline 14 :
14. Boycott, divestment and sanctions are commonplace, non-violent forms of political protest against states. In the Israeli case they are not, in and of themselves, antisemitic.
In its preamble, the Jerusalem Declaration also makes a useful distinction between criticism of the actions of the Israeli state, and anti-Semitism. It states 'Hostility to Israel could be an expression of anti-Semitic animus, or it could be a reaction to a human rights violation, or ... the emotion that a Palestinian person feels on account of their experience at the hands of the State.' Exactly. Criticism of the Israeli state is not necessarily (or primarily) motived by sentiments of anti-Semitism.
Reportedly, the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism has been signed by three hundred and fifty scholars, including the historian Omar Bartov and Susannah Heschel, the chair of the Jewish Studies programme at the prestigious Dartmouth College in the US.
So, and again… since ACT Party seems intent on having the state dictate to university councils how they should handle issues of free speech on campus, perhaps ACT can enlighten us on how it thinks universities should be treating allegations and defining the parameters of anti-Semitism. For starters: which definition of anti-Semitism does the ACT Party believe is more conducive to free and open debate on campus (and why) - the IHRA one, or the Jerusalem Declaration On Anti-Semitism?
Big Thief Returns
Adrianne Lenker's lyrics can seem as natural as breathing, at least until you notice how tightly structured her rhymes are, how surprising her analogies can be, and how the song narrative never wanders from the path of her intent. The new Big Thief track 'Incomprehensible' starts out as road trip with her lover along the Canadian side of Lake Superior - Thunder Bay and Old Woman Bay get nam-checked - before in verse two, the song becomes a meditation on growing old, and on how society teaches women to react with dread to the signs of ageing.
Instead, Linker celebrates the silver hairs now falling on her shoulders, and what she sees in the faces and bodies of her older female relatives. Most songwriters would have left it that. But Lenker turns further inwards. As the lyric says, she wrote this song on the eve of her 33rd birthday, and she seems to have to terms with how unknowable - incomprehensible - we are to ourselves, and to each other.
If you know Lenker's back catalogue, the 'Incomprehensible'song (BTW, it is the opening track of the upcoming Big Thief album Double Infinity) is the polar opposite of her earlier solo track, 'Zombie Girl.' In that song about a dis-integrating relationship, she's failing to bridge the distance between herself, and the zombie girl lying beside her.

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Defence's Waiouru Housing Project Fails To Break Ground After Deal With Ngāti Rangi Falls Over, Sources Say
Defence's Waiouru Housing Project Fails To Break Ground After Deal With Ngāti Rangi Falls Over, Sources Say

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Defence's Waiouru Housing Project Fails To Break Ground After Deal With Ngāti Rangi Falls Over, Sources Say

Article – RNZ RNZ understands a deal with Ngti Rangi that underpinned the project fell over at the last minute. The Defence Force's flagship project to fix up poor housing that is bad for soldiers' health has failed to break ground two years after it was funded, according to sources in Waiouru. None of the 50 houses promised for Waiouru have been started, according to feedback from the town, which the NZDF has not disputed. Budget 2023 earmarked the thick end of $75 million for the new houses. A Defence tender to find a builder went out a year ago. But on Wednesday the government said, 'Discussions regarding Waiouru are ongoing and progressing well, as part of a wider Treaty Settlement.' Asked what the talks were about, Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk's office said, 'We don't have anything further to add outside of our existing statements currently.' NZDF did not address what the new discussions were about either. It did not respond when asked what had happened to the project and any contract. RNZ understands its deal with Ngāti Rangi that underpinned the housing project fell over at the last minute. Ngāti Rangi is hosting the National Hautapu Ceremony for Matariki next week at Tirorangi Marae. The iwi referred RNZ's questions to the NZDF. A spokesperson for Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk, in a statement sent after the publication of this article, said the Government did not accept the suggestion any deal had fallen over. It said in 2021 that, 'Housing is on the top of our priority list. As part of our settlement we have an arrangement with the New Zealand Defence Force out at Waiouru to build 50 homes. That project we're still working on with NZDF.' Penk told Cabinet colleagues last year that NZDF's widespread 'dilapidated' housing was harming military output. Defence has vacancy rates of about 30 percent and 'ten percent of personnel leave the NZDF predominantly due to the unsatisfactory working, training and living environments', he said. Budget 2025 signalled the start of $9 billion in promised new defence spending by 2029, containing about $3 billion for 15 projects, mostly to do with weapons or IT systems. However, the Budget provided just a fraction over the next four years to address the billion-dollar backlog in maintenance and renewals that is outstanding; past Cabinet papers gave this figure, and NZDF confirmed on Tuesday that its spending on defence regeneration was half a billion dollars behind what the 2019 plan demanded. In August 2024, Penk expressed shock after seeing photos of black mould in Waiouru families' homes. 'No family should have to live like that, let alone the families of those who sacrifice so much to serve their country,' he said. The temperature low in Waiouru over the last 30 days has been under one degree on 17 days. Some housing 'poses potential health risks and can cause housing-related stress to … personnel and their families', and was linked to health conditions like asthma, a Cabinet minute in 2023 said. The 50-house project was announced as settled a year ago, under the Te Tiriti settlement with Ngāti Rangi seven years ago. Ruapehu district mayor Weston Kirton and his council celebrated the deal 11 months ago. 'I don't have any detail, only to say that it seems to be stalled in some shape or form,' Kirton told RNZ on Wednesday. No building appeared to have taken place – a playground and community park were in the tender, too – and the council was not privy to why, or to Defence talks with iwi. 'The minister should give us an update on what progress there is on the Defence presence in the Waiouru community,' Kirton said. NZDF had earlier threatened to shut up shop entirely at the central North Island settlement and head south, so he had been delighted when the settlement secured the army's training area and the housing deal began to firm up. 'It was all go,' Kirton told RNZ. 'They were very excited, they wanted to retain the training area at Waiouru. 'We were excited, the fact that they were going to put resouces back into Waiouru.' On Wednesday, Penk initially made no comment at all about Waiouru, then, when prompted again by RNZ, provided a single line about the 'discussions'. Shortly before that, in a longer statement, he had said, 'The government is improving accommodation for our sailors, soldiers and aviators by addressing decades of underinvestment, which has left Defence housing stock in poor condition.' Penk referred in that statement to projects in Devonport, Trentham and Manawatū, but not Waiouru, even though Waiouru had the lion's share of Budget 2023's tranche one funding for housing upgrades. 'The Waiouru New Build Housing is one of the first projects implemented under the Homes for Families Programme,' said its tender. Two months ago on Facebook, Penk posted – next to a headline '$12 billion for a stronger NZ' cheering the defence capability plan released in April – that: 'This Government is rebuilding the Defence Force after decades of underfunding.' 'Defence housing, messing and dining spaces are going to benefit from fresh investment. 'Our military personnel deserve healthy and modern spaces to live and rest in while they serve our country.' The 50-house Waiouru deal was designed to signal the starter's gun on a half-billion-dollar upgrade of the army camp over the next 25 years, and of an overall $3 billion overhaul of 1600 defence houses countrywide. Most of those required 'upgrading urgently', past Cabinet papers said. Penk a year ago told a Cabinet committee the estate was a 'critical enabler of military effect; providing the working, training and living environments required for generating and maintaining defence outputs'. 'The dilapidated condition of the NZDF estate is evident everywhere, but mainly in the living and training environments, and with utilities such as power, water supply and sanitation.' A 2024 estimate put deferred maintenance at $480m across the estate, which includes not just houses but other facilities. Some 'critical' defence assets were so poor in some places that a 'wholesale shutdown of operations at that location may be needed', Penk stated. The NZDF's annual report a year earlier had said 99 percent of its houses met Healthy Homes standards. Asked how that was possible given what Cabinet had been told, NZDF told RNZ: 'Healthy Homes compliance does not address the state of NZDF's barracks or working accommodation and does not necessarily address whether a home is aged, fit for purpose and or in an accelerated state of deterioration.' Penk had said in August 2024 that funding was constrained but the government was looking at options for improving the housing. Earlier, Budget 2024 funded 35 leased homes at Devonport Naval Base. New initiatives in Budget 2025 funded just $4m of capital and $16m for housing over four years. More would be added 'once the business case is approved by Cabinet', NZDF said. The business case related to a revision of its 2019 estate regeneration plan to fit a 2024-2040 timeline. This had to be revised, in part, to 'address consequences of insufficient funding since the 2019 business case', official papers said. 'The business case is still being drafted and Cabinet's decision on it will be released when that occurs in the next couple of months,' it told RNZ. NZDF mentioned about $30m for upgrades at Devonport Naval base, but this does not appear to be for housing. Budget 2025 also had $120m for depreciated funding of estate assets. It put $26m into deferred maintenance this year, and $104m over four years, against the $480m backlog. Penk said in his statement that three construction contracts and a future lease agreement had been signed for 61 new homes with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on Auckland's North Shore, and to lease additional houses in Sunnybrae. A new tender signalled 'more housing solutions will be sought this year, including at Trentham and in the Manawatū', he said. Budgets 2023 and 2024 provided $75.4m capital and a total $17.1m over four years, Defence said. This included a renovation pilot for 13 properties at Burnham, Linton and Ohakea.

‘Devil Will Be In Detail': Luxon Reacts To Possible USA-China Trade Deal
‘Devil Will Be In Detail': Luxon Reacts To Possible USA-China Trade Deal

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‘Devil Will Be In Detail': Luxon Reacts To Possible USA-China Trade Deal

Article – RNZ But the prime minister says it can only be a good thing as the global trading environment seeks more certainty. Morning Report Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says a possible USA-China trade deal is positive news, but time will tell what it means for New Zealand and the rest of the world. US President Donald Trump said a deal with China is 'done' after two days of high-level talks in London. Luxon welcomed the news but wanted to see the finer details. 'What we want to see is more certainty in the global trading environment, and I've read the reports as well,' he said. 'The devil will be in the detail, but that can only be a good thing.' Luxon said he expected to discuss the matter with China President Xi Jinping on his next trip the global giant. 'I'm sure that will be a topic of conversation about how we see the global trading environment and how we're observing in the region, but also around the world,' he said. Despite the trade uncertainty, Luxon said New Zealand exporters to the US had been making good progress. 'They'll still finding really great opportunities to grow their businesses, they're doing a great job of targeting the right channels and customers,' he said. 'But yes, of course that will be a big top of conversation when I do catch up with both President Xi and Premier Li (Qiang) in due course.' Agriculture Minister Todd McClay also welcomed the news of a possible US-China trade deal. The overnight announcement comes as the government welcomes the state of the country's agriculture sector. The Ministry of Primary Industries' Situation and Outlook report is projecting a double digit increase in New Zealand export revenues this year – though it warns about global uncertainty. It estimates New Zealand's agricultural export revenue could reach just under $60 billion by the end of June, up from a dip in 2023-4. McClay told Morning Report if a US-China deal has been done it would be 'good news'. At an OECD trade ministers meeting in Paris last week he had met with the trade ministers of both China and the US. Both had then gone off for joint talks so some momentum had been building to try and find a solution to their tariffs impasse. If things calmed down for international trade it would bring 'welcome relief' for exporters and result in some 'sensible decision-making'. Exporters 'go for value' McClay said the remarkable growth in primary exports was very positive. Dairy had enjoyed a solid season with a good supply of grass which had increased milk production. The meat sector was performing well and for the first time $5 billion worth of kiwifruit had been exported. Even the US market faced with tariff uncertainty was providing some opportunities for Kiwi exporters, citing the example of NZ King Salmon which has talked of increased sales at a higher price. Kiwi exporters were working hard to add value to their products, McClay said. One example was selling ready to eat burger patties to China which resulted in greater returns for farmers. 'So we're seeing Kiwi exporters go for value, not competing on price anywhere as much as they used to.' Luxon said the government, particularly McClay and Finance Minister Nicola Willis could take a 'tremendous credit' for the growth. 'We've created the conditions for growth; it's ultimately up to the businesses themselves to go out and seize on those opportunities,' he said. 'But if I think about the work that Todd's undertaken to make sure we're opening new markets, whether it's the GCC, the UAE, a 21 percent growth in the UK just in the last 12 months, a 28 percent in the EU by virtue of Todd bringing that agreement into earlier acceptance. 'There's been tremendous progress made on the trade front, and I think Nicola's work to make sure that she's cleaning up the books, good financial management, good fiscal management to lower inflation, to lower interest rates to get the economy growing, to get people employed – that's the work we've been doing as a government.' Luxon reiterated the government's belief in the importance of growth and said it was the primary industry sector pulling New Zealand out of a recession. 'We've got a really exciting future to shape it despite all the volatility that's out there in the world. 'Really proud of the primary industry sector, but also proud of the work of both Nicola and Todd and all of our team to create the conditions for growth as well.' On building in sustainability A government-backed grass certification standard for dairy and meat exports had been launched at Mystery Creek Fieldays yesterday, McClay said. This would be highly desirable for markets in China, other parts of Asia and the Middle East, McClay said. 'Grass fed now is increasingly wanted by consumers and they're willing to pay more.' On sustainable products, Groundswell has been calling for New Zealand to exit the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. McClay said that was not going to happen mainly because it would make exports to many markets untenable. He believed Groundswell and others were worried about higher costs and lower production if they adopted sustainable measures. 'We've been really clear – we think through technology and other things we can meet these obligations without putting farmers out of business.' Alternatives to farmers going into the Emissions Trading Scheme were being worked on and would be announced soon. McClay said the requirement of reducing methane by 10 percent by 2030 was on track to be met. 'So it shows farmers are willing to do it but we have to lean heavily into technology rather than just planting trees.' A number of products, known as methane inhibitors, have been developed already although they might have to overcome consumer resistance. McClay said anything developed would have to go through rigorous scientific testing. There would be a range of solutions developed and farmers would decide which ones they wanted to pick up. 'The overseas customers through the dairy company should be paying for this, not the New Zealand farmer.'

Call For Pope Leo To Issue Abuse Zero Tolerance Policy
Call For Pope Leo To Issue Abuse Zero Tolerance Policy

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Call For Pope Leo To Issue Abuse Zero Tolerance Policy

Article – RNZ A Fijian abuse survivor is urging the new head of the Catholic church to adopt a zero tolerance policy for child sex abuse. Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves presenter/producer A Fijian abuse survivor is urging the new head of the Catholic church to adopt a zero tolerance policy for child sex abuse. Felix Fremlin was seven years old when he was molested by a New Zealand Marist Brother at his primary school in Suva. Although he had received a written apology and FJD$15,000 (approx US$6,680) in financial compensation from the Marist Brothers Order of New Zealand and the Pacific, Fremlin said it's not enough. Speaking to Pacific Waves, Fremlin said culture and faith prevents many people in the Pacific from speaking out. 'It's a Pacific island thing, everybody looks upon the church as messengers of God, and so for people to talk about it… it's a taboo thing,' he said. Seeking mental health support is also a struggle for Fremlin. 'So here, we don't have any specialists where survivors can go to for counselling. The church here has offered counselling but the counsellors here belong to the church itself. So when you go for counselling, you report back to the church.' Fremlin also expressed his dissatisfaction over Pope Leo's appointment as the new pontiff, claiming the former cardinal had allegedly concealed abuse cases of three women while he served as a bishop in Peru in 2022. However, Fremlin said the onus is now on Pope Leo to stand with abuse survivors, calling for him to enact the zero tolerance law. An earlier attempt was done in November 2024 when former Jesuit priest, Reverand Hans Zollner, joined abuse survivors at a press conference in Rome urging Pope Francis to apply the zero-tolerance law throughout the entire 1.4 billion-member church. The law would effectively remove any priests guilty of abuse from the ministry. For Fremlin, it's about taking concrete steps in protecting the most vulnerable. 'When survivors tried to seek or converse with the church, the church gives them the runaround, and always the lawyers,' he said. 'My experience in Fiji is that they bring up the lawyers and then they hide behind the lawyers you know, so I wish the pope would come on this – it's just something that he can put into law that the survivors can go to, without the church giving them the runarounds.' In a statement sent to RNZ Pacific, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference said significant work has been undertaken to 'promote a culture of awareness and vigilance'. An immediate risk assessment is carried out once a complainant in New Zealand comes forward. Any risk identified would result in the accused priest to step down. For those convicted of abuse, the conference said the policies in place would permanently remove them from the ministry. The conference also said that abuse survivors can seek a mental health counsellor of their choice. 'If they don't have already a counsellor, the church can provide them a list of counsellors to choose from – with some or all being people without ties to the church.' Even if Pope Leo was to eventually adopt a zero-tolerance policy, Fremlin said it'll do little to restore his faith in the church. 'It's like asking the cow to jump over the moon. It's very hard for [the survivors] to come out openly. 'We're just hoping for something concrete you know, written in black and white, that states they're doing something about it.' Pacific survivors deserve more justice – advocate A long-standing advocate of Pacific abuse survivors said they deserve more justice. Dr Murray Heasley, who was instrumental in Fremlin's case, said the payout that Fremlin and his brother John received is 'outrageous'. 'It's about dignity; it's about human rights,' he said. 'How can you be paying a fraction of the money to a Fijian survivor abused by a New Zealander in Fiji, particularly if you take into consideration some of the notion of the colonial background and the assumption of superiority of Western culture at the time… The colonial mentality seems to still be in place. 'If you happen to be a Fijian survivor that got sexually molested by a New Zealander, you're worth less as a human being? Than a Pasifika abused in New Zealand? Why the differentiation? 'It's absolutely outrageous and it has to be revisited now. The FMS Marist Brothers have massive resources.' The New Zealand Bishop Conference said each case that the church considers is unique and so is each response. Part of the response can include an ex gratia payment to a survivor as part of the 'healing process'. However, they also said that 'comparisons cannot be made between different cases across the various components of each process'. Last year, New Zealand journalist Pete McKenzie broke the story in the New York Times of how the Pacific was used as a 'dumping ground' for accused priests. Heasley said it was a 'standard procedure'. 'It's extremely common to shift predators around. It was called the geographic cure. It didn't cure anything. 'The worst predators were those who were fluent in the local language, Fiji and Samoan and Tongan, because parents trusted them. They used the language to predate and groom.' The New Zealand Catholic Bishop's Conference responded with a statement they had issued last year in response to McKenzie's story. 'We were given 10 or 11 specific names and NONE had any record of allegations of abuse before they were assigned to ministry in the Pacific. It was anything but 'common practice', the statement said. 'Catholic priests and religious [orders] have regularly been appointed to the Pacific Islands to support the faith life of communities there. For many religious orders, the Pacific is part of the same province as New Zealand. 'There is no record of any of the nine men about whom [McKenzie] enquired being accused of abuse before the order of diocese appointed to them to the Pacific. Allegations against some were not received until after their death.' As for Pope Leo's alleged handling of abuse cases in Peru, Heasley said he's concerned. 'We've seen pushback from people inside the Catholic Church calling these women 'liars'. It's an astonishing thing where you have so-called advocates of women's voices, the silence of women's voices coming in behind the pope who they see as a fellow Peruvian because he has joint citizenship.' He said canon lawyer Brendan Daly has called the sexual abuse of children the greatest threat to the Catholic church. 'None of these folks are dealing with this, and even to this point, with this new pope has yet to say anything except to deny the accusation. He has not reached out to sexual survivors, and without that, he is not an acceptable pope.' The New Zealand Catholic Bishop Conference said there are many first-hand reports 'including from victims and survivors of abuse' that have shared their appreciation for how well then-Bishop Prevost handled the cases in Peru. 'He played a pivotal role in having a religious community shut down – which is a rare and severe course of action,' the statement read.

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