3. Children in State Care—Historical Abuse InquiryJACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSChildren in State Care—Historical Abuse Inquiry3. JACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Why has he as Prime Minister rejected calls from the Human Rights Commission victims and members of the public to conduct a full inquiry into historic abuse in State care?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Because the Government is taking a practical approach to addressing the abhorrent abuse people suffered while in State care. An inquiry would not resolve the claims of individuals provide payments or offer personal apologies. The Government extended the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service which has provided more help than an inquiry would. We have also taken steps to resolve claims directly and quickly in a way that is personal in each case.Jacinda Ardern: When he stated The question would be would an inquiry add anything?" did he think to ask survivors themselves that question?Hon PAULA BENNETT: In the context that that statement was made it is that we have acknowledged the past listened to it and those voices that we have heard have shaped the new ministry its legislation and the way it cares for children going forward—and it is in that context that it was meant.Jacinda Ardern: Is he prepared to meet with victims of abuse in State care and repeat to them Anne Tolley's claims that "We don't need an inquiry now and no apology is needed because there's no evidence that it was a systemic problem."?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I meet with a range of New Zealanders all of the time and will continue to do so in my role.Jacinda Ardern: Was there systemic abuse in State care?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Well from what we have heard from the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service from the way that we are settling claims then there has been systemic abuse in State care.Jacinda Ardern: If there was systemic abuse in State care why did a Cabinet paper claim to the contrary and why does the Government continue to use such claims to state that there is no reason or rationale for an inquiry?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Because it was in particular institutions and particular places and we have been redressing that with individuals as their cases come forward and that is how we have been dealing with it.Jacinda Ardern: Given the strong call for an inquiry including from the majority of political parties in this House is his reluctance all about money instead of about people?Hon PAULA BENNETT: No because we have actually moved to resolve claims for individuals in the most effective and efficient way that we can for them to give them closure.Jacinda Ardern: Why is he opposed to issuing a State apology for abuse in State care; not a letter from Anne Tolley but a State apology?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Because I actually believe that it is far more powerful to actually have individual apologies than a general one.Marama Fox: How will he respond to the 10000 people who have signed this open letter put together from the Human Rights Commission asking for an independent inquiry into the abuse of children in State care?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I expect that that petition will go through select committee as it does and the Government would respond to that appropriately.Marama Fox: I seek leave to table the letter written in Te Reo Māori and in English the 10000 signatures and the hundreds of individual letters presented to me just now by people who have been abused in State care.Mr SPEAKER: Can I just check that this is not a petition that has been presented to Parliament.Marama Fox: No this is an open letter.Mr SPEAKER: On that basis I will put the leave and the House will decide. Leave is sought to table the letter and the collation of petitioners. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is none.Documents by leave laid on the Table of the House."