5. Question No. 5—JusticeNICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 5—Justice5. NICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement My focus is a justice system where victims feel safe heard and empowered"?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Justice): Yes I am proud of our track record on supporting victims. Since National left office our Government has tripled the amount of funding to the Victim Assistance Scheme and doubled the funding for Victim Support. We've passed the Sexual Violence Legislation Act established Te Aorerekura for family violence and have introduced a bill to give greater protections to the rights of those who've been through family violence and sexual violence. We are also establishing three new pilots in the courts to improve victim safety and to ensure they're heard in bail decisions and strengthen the support for child victims of sexual violence.Nicole McKee: Will her Government adopt ACT's policy to ensure judges during sentencing consider the risk to the victim the historical impacts of the offending on the victim and whether there is a disproportionate risk to the community and if not how is this consistent with her focus on a justice system where victims feel "safe heard and empowered"?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: I have read the member's policy and I found it confusing. Currently under section 7 of the Sentencing Act "purposes [for] sentencing" specifically provide for the interests of the victim of the offence and also to protect the community from the offender.Nicole McKee: Does she believe that victims feel "safe heard and empowered" when violent offenders like Matu Reid are given home detention and are allowed to reoffend and if not why does she continue to prioritise policies such as reducing the prison population over policies that prioritises the safety of victims such as ACT's sentencing policy?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: It is not appropriate for me as Minister of Justice to comment on the sentencing decisions made by the courts. The penalties available to judges for serious offending can be severe. There has been no reductions in individual penalties under this Government. Judges are required to impose the maximum penalty for any offence if the offending is at the most serious end of the spectrum unless this would be inappropriate.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does she think the victims of serious sexual crimes feel empowered when the people convicted of their crimes routinely receive home detention sentences and if not will she support National's policy to restrict the ability of judges to massively reduce sentences?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Again that is a confused policy as I'm not clear on where that would be impacted. As I've already stated it is not appropriate for me to comment on the sentencing decisions made by the courts. That is because in order to maintain the integrity of our justice system the courts need to be able to undertake their work without political interference or influence.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does she not understand that Parliament sets the sentencing framework in this country through the Sentencing Act and if Parliament does not think home detention is generally a suitable sentence for serious sexual and violent offences then it can adjust the Sentencing Act accordingly; and why doesn't she?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: I remain focused on making sure the rights of victims are protected and that is the best way to help those in our justice system. I am committed to looking at how we can better support victims of sexual violence and I do want to acknowledge those young women who have come forward and anyone who comes forward to share their story of sexual violence."