Seven months after a senior judge declared it untenable that New Zealand has no specific criminal charge for domestic violence, the Government still has not considered any change.
Late last year, the former head of the Family Court, Judge Peter Boshier, said publicly that domestic violence should be criminalised in its own right, much like drink-driving or drug manufacturing is.
The office of Justice Minister Judith Collins said she already has an extensive work programme under way and has not considered the idea.
Labour says Judge Boshier has been snubbed and the inaction is disrepectful not only to him. but also to the victims of domestic violence.
The Green Party says it smacks of negligence to ignore the judge, who would not suggest change unless he saw a real need.
