Monday, November 21, 2005



Winston has the wrong crime

So, now that I've stopped laughing at Winston's senior moment, I should also point out that he's accusing the Herald of the wrong crime. While criticising the performance of the ruler was historically the chief reason for prosecutions for lese majeste, we don't have that sort of law on the books in New Zealand (anymore). And treason, as defined in s73 of the Crimes Act 1961, requires waging, inciting, assisting or conspiring to invade or overthrow the government of New Zealand with armed force. The crime Winston should be accusing the Herlad of is not treason, but sedition. Which is yet another reminder of why we need to get rid of that archaic law...

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