1. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her reported statement that yesterday Cabinet agreed to seek a multiparty accord on ways to stem the rising tide of child homicide; if not, why not?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
Ministers have agreed to pursue a multiparty initiative in good faith. We hope that will be reciprocated.
Why is the Prime Minister now proposing that such an accord will start in several weeks’ time, after her Government releases yet another report, when on Sunday the Minister of Māori Affairs phoned the deputy leader of the National Party and told him that the first multiparty meeting on this issue was to be held last night?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Firstly, I can say that Ministers will be inviting other parties to a meeting this week. It will be possible to have a well-informed meeting when the ministerial task force reports. The Government is keen to share that information with other parties.
Sue BradfordWill the multiparty working-group be solution rather than research focused, and will it be given any real power to get any cross-party solutions implemented in terms of Government funding and policy priorities?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
We would welcome the Greens’ suggestions on how to take it forward. We are proceeding on this in good faith and I am sure, from the tone of the member’s question, so is she.
Why has her Government decided that getting multiparty agreement and urgent action on the issue of child homicide is no longer important?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As I have said in the House today, Ministers have agreed in good faith to pursue a multiparty initiative. I think it is rather unfortunate that the first statement made by the Leader of the Opposition on this tragedy has been to try to politicise it.
Was the Minister of Māori Affairs correct when he said: “I intend to lead a cross-party team to look at it from a whole-of-Government approach and really push it along.”, or will the accord be led by another Minister?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The Minister of Māori Affairs has taken the initiative to say that he will lead such a cross-party initiative. He will be working with other Ministers, and spokespersons from other parties who want to participate in good faith. I do hope the member’s statements are not an indication that the National Party does not wish to participate.
Will the cross-party accord focus only on Māori family violence; if not, why is the Minister of Māori Affairs and not the Minister for Social Development and Employment or the Minister with responsibility for Child, Youth and Family Services leading an accord on child abuse?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Of course the problem is not confined only to one group in the community. It is very appropriate that the Minister of Māori Affairs has taken an initiative. He will be joined by other Ministers. As I say, this is being pursued in good faith. We have had many indications of good faith from other parties. We simply wait to see whether the National Party is more intent on politicising child homicide than finding constructive ways forward.