10. Question No. 10—CorrectionsSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of CorrectionsQuestion No. 10—Corrections10. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Corrections: What actions if any has he taken to reduce the increasing number of assaults on corrections officers?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): Every single assault in prison is deemed unacceptable. Keeping Corrections officers safe on the job is a top priority that's why we've put in place a long list of actions to help mitigate risks in the prison environment—for example more training for tactical skills such as de-escalation and reviewing cell door configuration and retrofitting cell doors with hatches for meal delivery as this has been identified as a point of risk. We're also meeting with the Public Service Association and the Corrections Association of New Zealand to look at even more actions we can collectively take together to keep our Corrections officers safe.Simeon Brown: Why did he wait until 1 February this year to request monthly briefings on the increasing number of assaults on his staff?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Since I've become the Minister I've had briefings with and from Corrections about the assaults.Hon David Bennett: Oh is that it?SPEAKER: Order! Can I just say to the Hon Mr Bennett—right through this question he seems to have regarded it as one of humour and none of his colleagues seem to and if he could just be quiet stop laughing and let his colleague ask the supplementaries the House would be a better place.Simeon Brown: How will these briefings reduce the number of assaults on Corrections officers given the only next steps Corrections outlines in these briefings is to continue to provide you with monthly Aide Memoires to update you on prisoner assaults."SPEAKER: I think it was "Aides Memoire"—it better have been; unless it was bad English.Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Like I've said no assault is acceptable and it's important to note that serious assaults have remained static. The numbers of assaults that have increased are non-injury and non-serious assaults but that's not unsurprising given that Corrections now encourages all Corrections officers to report any assault regardless of how minor or trivial it may seem.Simeon Brown: What is his response to growing calls from Corrections officers for a vote of no confidence in him as Minister because they are "so incensed" by what they see as him supporting and advocating for prisoners while ignoring staff?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Well a couple of things: first of all we have on one side of the Opposition they're saying that prisons are not tough enough; on the other side of the Opposition they're saying prisons are too tough. The truth actually lies in the middle where as the Minister of Corrections I've got to advocate both for Corrections officers and their wellbeing as well as making sure that prisoners are cared for in line with the Corrections Act.Simeon Brown: Point of order. I seek leave to table the two most recent briefings to the Minister which outlined the next steps are simply to receive—SPEAKER: Are these documents—Simeon Brown: These are received under the Official Information Act the two briefings the Minister's recently received regarding prisoner assaults.SPEAKER: And have they been released only to the member?Simeon Brown: So far.SPEAKER: So yes. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."