5. SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) Link to this
to the Minister of Justice
Does she stand by her statement last week that “I am determined to keep a focus on victims right at the forefront of my approach in this portfolio.”?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Justice) Link to this
Yes. Victims’ rights have been enhanced considerably since this Labour-led Government came to office, and I have already asked Ministry of Justice officials to provide me with advice in respect of further initiatives that can be undertaken in this area.
Can the Minister confirm that, under the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005, of the $91,408.11 in prisoner compensation that has been paid into the victims’ claims trust account to date, only one victim has made a successful claim, for $9,500, but four inmates have been paid out a total of $32,383.83; if so, why?
Yes, I can confirm that is the case. I can also confirm that the Criminal Justice Reform Bill extends the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act to 2010 to allow more time for claims to be made by victims.
Does she stand by her predecessor Phil Goff’s claim that the legislation would “restrict compensation for inmates to exceptional cases”, and that in those cases it “maximises the prospect that victims will be the beneficiaries”, and how does that square with a system where to date almost 80 percent of the amount paid out has still gone to offenders?
I think it is fair to say that we would prefer to see victims receive the compensation, and that is one of the reasons why there is an extended time—for victims to be able to make claims. But I would also add that it is under this Government that we have seen rights being given to victims. When one considers that it was under this Government that victims’ rights were actually put into law, in the Victims’ Rights Act 2002—5 years ago—and that there were many years in which a National Government could have put those rights into law but did not, I stand by our record of trying to redress the imbalance between victims and offenders.
Ann HartleyI looked at the speech John Key gave last week on law and order to see what he had to say on this subject, and I have to tell the House I was very disappointed indeed, because all I found was a slur on the work of the New Zealand Police when it came to victims. The police, as everybody knows, are the first point of contact for victims, and I believe they do a magnificent job. Mr Key obviously does not think that is the case, because he says that he wants them to take family violence seriously. Well, I believe the police do take family violence seriously, and it is difficult work that they do. Rather than their being kicked by politicians for the sake of cheap political point scoring, I would have expected some more support.
Does the Minister stand by her predecessor Phil Goff’s claim that the 2005 legislation would provide a strong disincentive for any offenders who might be encouraged by other payouts to make a compensation claim themselves; if so, how does she explain the fact that, in the last year alone, inmates have made claims for compensation totalling more than $1.2 million?
I do stand by that claim, because if a change had not been made, considerably more compensation could have been paid out under the previous regime.
Peter BrownNoting those answers and the obvious importance of the police to an effective justice system, will the Minister inform us of what recent reports she has seen regarding the Government’s commitment to recruit 1,250 extra police during this term of Parliament as a result of the confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First?
Madam SPEAKERI think that is outside the ministerial responsibility. That question is better directed to the Minister of Police than the Minister of Justice. Would the member wish to have the opportunity to bring the question within the ministerial responsibility?
I take your point, Madam Speaker, but I suggest that the questions and answers going across the House are about criminals and the justice system, and the police are an integral, important part of that.
Gerry BrownleeDoes she stand by the claim in 2005 of the Associate Minister of Justice Rick Barker that Labour would establish a new, independent prisoner complaints body by the end of 2006 to reduce the likelihood of future damages claims arising; and in light of the $1.2 million in claims in the last year alone, why has the establishment of that body taken so long—for simply giving the Ombudsman wider jurisdiction in terms of what they already do hardly counts as a new body?
I do not believe that most New Zealanders see the changes to the role of the Ombudsman in that way, at all. In fact, the enhanced role has been welcomed.
How can she continue to support a compensation regime that has given more money to inmates than to victims, and why did she vote only a matter of months ago to extend it for another 3 years?
I do not know whether the member was listening to the previous answers, but I think that on two occasions I said that it was to allow more time for claims to be made by victims.
Noting those earlier answers and the obvious importance of law and order to an effective and efficient justice system for victims’ rights, will the Minister inform us of what recent reports she has seen in terms of running and administering an efficient law and order system?
There are many parts to the justice system, as has already been pointed out. As I have pointed out, I have seen Mr Key’s speech on law and order. It made almost no mention of victims’ rights, at all, so so much for the crocodile tears we are seeing today! I can assure this House that by the time National members get round to drip-feeding their policy, which they have said they will do, our policy will be well bedded in, because we have not only policy but legislation.
Hon Dr Nick SmithYes, we have had 8 years, and in those 8 years we have already put in 1,500 additional police, and 1,250 additional police staff are going in. Now we know, after 18 months of constant criticism from National, that Mr Key supports our drive for additional police. Having tried to destroy the whole programme, he has finally woken up to the fact that we needed those police.