Macindoe Tim: Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Macindoe Tim: Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 11 December 2012. Volume:686;Page:7371. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 It seems to be my permanent lot in the current Parliament to follow Mr Chauvel every time I speak in a debate. He is a very thoughtful member. In fact I have to say that my mother—who is probably watching at this moment as she is a bit of a parliamentary addict—seems to think that Mr Chauvel gets every speaking call that the Opposition is allocated. Be that as it may I think that this bill the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill needs to be seen in the wider context of the Government’s commitment to putting victims at the heart of our justice system. That is not just a slogan; that is a very real commitment and I think it is something that the New Zealand public are very anxious to ensure that we can achieve. National is firmly committed to building a safer New Zealand. It is one of our core commitments that we campaigned on last time. It is a core focus of our Better Public Services strategy. We have embarked on a very comprehensive programme of reform in order to protect communities to prevent crime and as I say to put victims first. So as we look at this particular bill which I acknowledge is actually quite a long time in evolving we need to remember that that is very much a core focus of it. I just remind Mr Chauvel of that in light of some of his previous comments. 
It is aimed at striking the right balance between retaining support for victims while at the same time maintaining fairness to prisoners. The latter part of the equation is often not a very popular point with the wider public but nevertheless in a civilised and decent society it is something that we should pay due respect to. I think it is important for those who may not have been listening to this debate before the dinner adjournment just to explain that the bill makes the existing regime which is due to expire on 1 July next year a permanent one. As I have said this issue is one that requires balance sensitivity and a clear explanation given the strong public interest in matters of compensation. It is always something that strikes a lot of public comment whenever compensation particularly for prisoners is in the news. 
 The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005—of course that was a measure of the previous Government—responded to the concern that offenders should not receive compensation for wrongful treatment without first repaying the debt that they owe for the harm that they caused their victims. I would imagine that there would be widespread support for that particular sentiment. It is important that victims continue to have an easy way to make a civil claim if prisoners do receive compensation payments. The whole point of this new bill is to ensure that the system is fair and balanced and will not lead to unintended injustices. After all victims of crime are in the system entirely without any fault and entirely without any choice in the matter. They have to deal often with the considerable financial emotional and physical effects of crime long after it has been committed. In fact we know that there are many who are permanently traumatised by that experience so provisions for better compensation of victims have been an absolute priority for this Government. I have to say that fairness is not possible because the only thing that could possibly be fair is for them not to have become the victims of crime in the first place. 
But I am pleased and proud that National established a victims’ compensation scheme in our previous term in office. A few people mocked the establishment of the $50 offender levy on all offenders regardless of the crime that they commit but I am delighted to say it has been an unqualified success. It has worked incredibly well. In the first year considerably more was taken in than had been expected. It is a levy that is in addition to any sentence or court order that is imposed. We have used that new levy to expand services and support for victims of crime particularly of serious crimes and their families. More than 4000 victims or their families have received extra support in the first year of the levy and the levy has funded 13 different services for victims of serious crime. There is quite a lot that it has gone towards. We have also taken numerous steps to protect victims: 6000 families have been protected through police safety orders. Victims now have more say in impact statements and that is something that they warmly welcome in the court system. We are improving the victim notification system and we are setting up a victims’ centre to improve the information and services that victims receive. 
As I say this is a measure that needs to be taken in the wider context. It is about trying to get the balance right. I dare say—and particularly having listened to the comments Mr Chauvel has made—that there will be some submissions and we will take careful note of them when it comes before the Justice and Electoral Committee. But I believe that this is a measure that will enjoy widespread support and I welcome its introduction this evening.