Abolish coroners

Edgeler nails this one.

Abolish coroners https://t.co/BgPdDb2mDv

— Graeme Edgeler (@GraemeEdgeler) July 30, 2019

Recall that coroners in NZ operate under crappy legislation that invites them to speculate about measures that might prevent identical cases in future, but putting zero weight on practicability or cost-effectiveness or sanity.

NZ coroners have made a lot of nutty calls based on this. I'd put together a list a few years ago:

Search Google NZ for "Coroner recommends" and you'll find:

• Coroner recommends quad-bikes be equipped with rotational towballs

• Coroner recommends that all farm houses be fenced off. "Mr Scott called for farmers and Labour Department officials to lobby the government to make fencing compulsory on all farms"

• Coroner recommends age restrictions on butane and other possible inhalants. 

• Coroner recommends people wear hard hats when climbing ladders to prune trees (whether they should be required when doing other things on ladders is not discussed)

• Coroner recommends that the refrigeration industry develop guidelines for safe storage of explosive refrigerants.

• Coroner recommends compulsory spot checks of children up to the age of 5.

• Coroner recommends the Government urgently assess media guidelines on reporting of suicide.

• Coroner recommends changes to design of future prisons

• Coroner recommends MoH strengthen guidelines on safe sleeping practices for newborns.

• Coroner recommends review of CT scans (to use them more often)

• Coroner recommends respite care review

• Coroner recommends that you should have to have a licence to rent a nail gun.

• Coroner recommends licensing of outdoor education / adventure tourism operators.

• Coroner recommends clearing trees near train crossings.

• Coroner recommends changes to privacy laws.

• Coroner recommends restrictions on access to glaciers

• Coroner recommends DHB review suicide assessment procedures

• Coroner recommends more training for mechanics

• Coroner recommends national manhole safety guidelines.

• Coroner recommends helmets for riders of motorised skateboards.

• Coroner recommends crowd control training for all airport staff.

• Coroner recommends warning labels on Coke.

• Coroner recommends mandatory high visibility clothing (not just vests) for cyclists. 

This case is worse. The coroner here blames grieving parents for letting their daughter walk to school. This is not the parents' fault. Fear of other parents casting a side-eye drives a lot of cotton-woolling of kids elsewhere. We shouldn't start this here.

Abolish coroners. And especially abolish Coroner Tim Scott.