5. Question No. 5—JusticeNICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 5—Justice5. NICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of Justice: What was the total cost of cultural reports funded by the Ministry of Justice in October 2017 and what was the total cost of cultural reports funded by the Ministry of Justice in May 2023?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Justice): Section 27 of the Sentencing Act 2002 allows an offender the right to request a report on their personal family and even community circumstances and how it may have related to their offending. This could possibly include family history and mental health for example. This Government has not made any changes to section 27 of the Sentencing Act. As released in written question No. 19765 I am advised that in October 2017 the cost of section 27 reports funded by the Ministry of Justice was $1530; and that in May 2023 the total cost of section 27 reports funded by the Ministry of Justice was $806022.Nicole McKee: Can she confirm that in the year to 30 June 2023 the average amount spent on cultural reports was over $630000 a month compared to an average of $3333 a month in the year to 30 June 2018; and does she think this is a good use of taxpayer money?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: As stated before this Government has not made any changes to section 27 of the Sentencing Act. It is true that section 27 reports are being more frequently used by the defence as the legal profession's awareness of them grows. Given the increased use I'm expecting and have requested further advice in the coming weeks to understand whether changes to the system may well be needed.Nicole McKee: Will she adopted ACT's policy to repeal section 27 of the Sentencing Act 2002 which allows criminals to get shorter sentences by requesting cultural background reports?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: No.Nicole McKee: What does she say to the victim of Stevie Taunoa who was pregnant at the time that she was sexually assaulted in her home and continued to receive threats from her offender following the assault and who watched as the judge presiding over his case noted his lack of cultural identity before sentencing him to 12 months' home detention?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: That is a completely unacceptable circumstance for any person to be subjected to. As I've already stated to the member I'm keen to get a fuller understanding of whether the use of section 27 reports remains fit for purpose and I am not ruling out further changes at this point in time.Nicole McKee: Why should the victims of crime have any confidence in her ability to defend their rights when she suggests that offenders are like victims by saying It's a sad indictment on our justice system that the best way to help te iwi Māori is to keep them out of our justice system"?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: In terms of our focus on victims of crime I am proud of our track record on supporting victims. Since National left office our Government has tripled the funding for the Victims Assistance Scheme and doubled the funding to Victim Support. We passed the Sexual Violence Legislation Act established Te Aorerekura and will introduce a bill to give greater protections and rights to victims of family and sexual violence. And we're establishing three new pilots in the courts to improve victim safety to ensure they're heard at bail decisions and to strengthen the support for child victims of sexual violence. My focus is a justice system where victims feel safe heard and empowered."