5. Question No. 5—JusticeHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 5—Justice5. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Justice: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): Yes and in particular I stand by my statement this morning that this Government remains committed to effective changes that turn offenders' lives around reduce offending and make our communities safer. That's what matters most. We will make change at a pace the community understands and in a way that keeps their confidence. I hope our colleagues across the House will join us in this challenge that I know we all care about.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does he stand by the action taken to commission the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group which after two years of engagement and a cost of $2.5 million has delivered little in the way of promised justice reform?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: There are factual inaccuracies in that question but in any event I stand by the work of that group.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does the Minister stand by his statement this morning that the Government will make change at a pace the community [can understand]" and why won't the public know until next year what these changes will be?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I refer the member to the answer to the primary question.Hon Mark Mitchell: When he said that they didn't think they could commit to the sorts of recommendations the group is likely to make regarding the resignation of members of their justice advisory group what were the recommendations they did not agree with?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: That is not a statement that I have ever made.Jamie Strange: What recent announcements if any has the Minister made regarding courts in Hamilton?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Today I announced that not only will the Government be making the two alcohol and other drug treatment courts in Auckland permanent but we will also be adding a new alcohol and other drug court in Hamilton next year. I think it's important to note that of the offenders who go through these courts 23 percent are less likely to offend for any offence; 35 percent are less likely to reoffend for a serious offence; and 25 percent are less likely to be imprisoned because of reoffending. I'd like to thank that member along with the Hon Tim Macindoe for the support they have given for that initiative.Jamie Strange: What reports if any has the Minister seen regarding his announcement of a new alcohol and other drug treatment court for Hamilton?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I've seen a report from Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate who welcomed the Government's announcement of the new alcohol and other drug treatment court saying that punishing people whose offending is driven by alcohol and drug dependency without tackling the underlying issue doesn't make sense and there has been sustained and comprehensive public support for the court in Hamilton. The Government has heard the people of Hamilton and is taking action.Hon Mark Mitchell: Why did it take two years for the Minister to commit to extending the previous Government's very successful alcohol and drug treatment courts?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The previous Government had set up the pilots—in fact had renewed the pilots of those courts repeatedly until June 2018. Following the completion of that pilot this Government extended the courts while the pilot was reviewed. I received the report of that review early this year. We've now committed to the permanency of those courts.Hon Mark Mitchell: Isn't this just a fitting end to the year of non-delivery: that after two years in Government he has delivered nothing new?SPEAKER: Order! The member works out that he doesn't ask me questions doesn't he?"