Prime Willow-Jean; Sosene Lemauga Lydia; Andersen Ginny; Upston LouiseHon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour): I feel like the previous member who spoke the Hon Ginny Andersen almost has to repeat that whole contribution because I don't think the Minister for Social Development and Employment was able to concentrate on what she was saying. But I'd like to ask a question about the Independent Children's Monitor Aroturuki - Tamariki which sits under the Ministry of Social Development. We know that they have done initial reports on monitoring—three experience of care reports and two in-depth review reports have also been produced. I'm just wondering if the Minister sees that there is a need to require a separate agency for that.LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE (Labour—Māngere): Thank you Mr Chair for the opportunity. Minister it's been helpful to understand this period in review. I specifically want to ask about the programmes that are beneficial to Pasifika communities. The last Government invested over $27 million to help Pacific people gain employment and I have a specific question around the Toloa Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths programme; Tupu Aotearoa; and the Pacific Work Connect service: will the Government continue to invest? Because I've seen in my local community the benefits of these programmes to help our Pasifika people. Thank you.Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): I raise a point of order Mr Chair. I just want to check during the last question I asked it did appear that the Minister for Social Development and Employment was talking to one of the National whips for the entire time I was asking it. I was just wondering if it was possible that I'd have the opportunity of re-asking my question given I don't think the Minister heard it.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Yeah if you can.Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Should I wait till that one or how—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Let's take this question and then the next contribution will be from you.Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Thank you Mr. Chair. On the Independent Children's Monitor obviously there have been concerns raised about whether or not the location of it being in the Education Review Office really enabled it to be as independent as it needs to be as part of the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system. That wasn't raised in the Social Services and Community Committee's review—I don't recall. But I can say that I share the widespread concerns about the lack of independence of the Independent Children's Monitor. They do really important work but the perception of a lack of independence given it is housed in the Education Review Office is a significant concern.In terms of specific Pacific employment initiatives rather than going through individual programmes I'll just reiterate that we are clear about the fact that we want to continue to invest in initiatives that support people into employment. There will be a particular focus on young people. Where those programmes are getting the outcomes and supporting people into employment—that's what we want to see more of clearly. I'm not going to name programmes and future plans—those are for other debates. But I want to assure the member that the coalition Government is absolutely and very deliberately focused on how we can provide more New Zealanders with the choices and opportunities that come through being in work.