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National to Add Active Consent Rule, Labour Accuses Campaigning

7/19/2026

23 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Party will amend the Crimes Act to require active consent expressed through words or actions.
National MP Simon Goldsmith announced the proposal, noting it does not alter the prosecution’s burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Labour MP Camilla Belich said she authored a comparable consent-reform bill prepared this year.
Belich accused National of postponing the bill to use the issue for election campaigning.

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Story summary

The National Party will amend the Crimes Act to require active consent expressed through words or actions.
National MP Simon Goldsmith announced the proposal, noting it does not alter the prosecution’s burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Labour MP Camilla Belich said she authored a comparable consent-reform bill prepared this year.
Belich accused National of postponing the bill to use the issue for election campaigning.