2. JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she have confidence in the Minister of Corrections; if so, why?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Acting Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes; because he is a hard-working and conscientious Minister.
How and why can she have confidence in Damien O’Connor, when he is responsible for a department that in the last 18 months has seen instances of staff corruption, inmates rioting, the appalling management of Graeme Burton’s parole, the death of Liam Ashley, budget blowouts, and now a seriously damning report by the Ombudsman?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
To take the last point, in terms of the recommendations in that report a large number are already agreed, or agreed in principle. Some will require further work, because there are some conflicts between, for example, what the report refers to as humane treatment of prisoners and ensuring that they are actually kept secure.
Is it of concern to the Prime Minister that an opinion poll has shown that two-thirds of all New Zealanders now have no confidence in the Department of Corrections; and is it not about time that she restored confidence in the Department of Corrections by getting rid of the failed Minister, Damien O’Connor?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Obviously, the Government would wish to see a higher level of confidence in a department than that. I would point out to the member that the number of escapes from prison and from custody in general, under this Government is significantly lower than it was under the National Government in the 1990s.
Hon Phil GoffCan the Prime Minister confirm that, in fact, escapes are down by 78 percent since National ran its failed corrections policy, and that the number of positive drug tests in prisons today is the lowest in 8 years?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Indeed, for every one prisoner that has escaped under the Labour-led Government, practically five prisoners escaped under the National-led Government. That is what National calls open government!
Should the people of New Zealand take the answers that the Acting Prime Minister has given as an indication that the Government thinks everything is rosy in the Department of Corrections, and will he be making phone calls to Liam Ashley’s parents and to Karl Kuchenbecker’s family to tell them of his feelings?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
No, the Government does not believe that everything is rosy, at all. The Government has already, in fact, approached the families in both cases in order to express its strong sympathy in that regard. The Government is addressing the issue of how to improve the performance of the department, and we are the first Government to take strong action against corruption within the Department of Corrections. The National—
Simon PowerHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Oh, there was no corruption in the corrections system under National! Mr Power will no doubt survive to rue, at some point, making that remark.
Is the Prime Minister aware that according to the Ombudsman’s report that has just been tabled in the House, in 2005 Chubb wrote directly to the Department of Corrections to point out issues about prisoner safety—concerns that went unaddressed until the death of Liam Ashley?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As members would know, I have not had a chance at this point to read the report in its entirety and the recommendations. I look forward to reading the full report.
If, when the Acting Prime Minister has the opportunity to read the report fully, he sees in it—as we Opposition members have seen—that Chubb wrote directly to the Department of Corrections pointing out issues of prisoner safety, and if he realises after reading that report that those concerns not being addressed went some way towards aiding the death of Liam Ashley, will he take the necessary step of firing Damien O’Connor?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
If it becomes clear that Chubb wrote to the department and the department failed to draw that to the attention of the Minister, then I am sure the Minister will want to follow it up with the Department of Corrections.
Can the Prime Minister confirm once and for all that the Minister of Corrections, on behalf of the Government, has issued a formal apology to the family of Liam Ashley?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As far as I am aware, Mr O’Connor has indeed done that. Indeed, on more than one occasion he has expressed his sincere regret about what happened in that case.