5. JOHN HAYES (National—Wairarapa) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
What are the police doing to help ensure that victims of crime get the support they need as soon as possible?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
I am very pleased to report that today I opened a new national contact centre for Victim Support, which has been set up at the Police National Headquarters here in Wellington. The contact centre will enable Victim Support to provide a consistent, timely, and professional response to calls for help from across the country. The police have a very close relationship with Victim Support, and they are delighted to provide Victim Support with the office space and a communications system for the contact centre. The police also now have a dedicated national victim services manager, who will be overseeing further initiatives to support victims of crime. The 0800 number for this is 0800 VICTIM.
What are the latest results on how well the police are meeting the expectations of victims of crime and the wider community?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
The latest 6-monthy Citizen Satisfaction Survey shows that the public continues to have a high level of trust and confidence in the police. I am also very pleased to see that the involvement of police in their communities has increased significantly since June 2008. Community involvement by the police is now recording at a rate of 67 percent, compared with 58 percent under the previous Government. I would like to commend police for the great work they are doing in communities throughout New Zealand. I am very proud to say that our police are amongst the finest in the world.
David GarrettDoes she support my member’s bill, which would remove the heavy restrictions on what a victim of crime may say in his or her victim impact statement and allow anything as long as it is true and not defamatory?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have not read the bill. I am happy to meet with the member to discuss it, but these matters will need to be looked at fully as I have not read it yet.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
E hia te ōrau o ngā hua kua rirohia i raro i te Proceeds of Crime Act, e tukuna ki te tautoko i te hunga kua tūkinotia?
[What proportion of assets seized and unsold under the Proceeds of Crime Act go back to support victims?]
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
It is not possible for me to give an exact figure on that, because as the proceeds of crimes money becomes available it goes into the consolidated account. I am aware that right across many portfolios work is going on, looking at what can be done for victims.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Ka ahatia te tautoko i te hunga kua ngaua e te hinganga o ngā kamupene tahua-putea?
[What moves are being made to ensure that victims of failed finance companies are supported?]
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
For a start, this Government has retained the Serious Fraud Office—which was scheduled for closure under the previous Government—and that is something that I think should give quite a lot of comfort to people. I am also aware that my colleague the Minister of Justice, who is also the Minister of Commerce, has been working very extensively in this area. Obviously, it is very important to do whatever we can. At the same time, it is an awful lot better than what the previous Government did.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise for the delay. I thought I had heard what was being said, and now I have confirmed what was said. When I was asking a supplementary question earlier, there was an interjection from a member at the back that suggested that I and other Labour members should move to Australia. I think that that is not an appropriate approach to a member who is questioning the Government, unless, of course, it is general advice for all New Zealanders from Mr Quinn.
Mr SPEAKER