A close vote in Parliament has ended Act deputy leader Muriel Newman's bid to open up the Family Court.
Her private member's bill, which would have allowed the public and media to view family disputes and custody battles, was defeated 62 votes to 57 after Labour, the Green Party and Progressives opposed it.
But legislation dealing with court scrutiny has not wholly gone away.
The justice and electoral select committee next week reports on the Care of Children Bill, which overhauls guardianships laws.
MPs reject family court bill
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