Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:637;Page:8049] 
7.  
SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: Why did his department’s investigation into its handling of Graeme Burton’s parole include the term of reference to “Note any areas in which particularly good practice has been demonstrated”? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 It was essential that this investigation look at all aspects of the management of Graeme Burton’s parole. 
Simon Power 
: How can he state that the department’s inquiry into its handling of Graeme Burton’s parole is “technically and legally correct in [its] conclusions” when it has glossed over the fact that under the zero tolerance guidelines the department should have recalled Burton immediately rather than a week later and the fact that it neglected to conduct a scheduled home visit when Burton had already gone; or does the direction to look for “particularly good practice” simply confirm that the report was a whitewash from the outset? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: As I have said several times and will say again I do not consider the way that the department managed Mr Burton to be good enough. Zero tolerance requires that immediate action be taken. It was taken. The action in fact was proved not to be sufficient. That is the issue. 
Simon Power 
: Why does the internal report into Burton’s parole also gloss over the fact that probation service managers checked Burton’s computer file which contained all of his numerous failures to comply with his conditions only twice in the 6 months that he was on parole when the zero tolerance guidelines state that that should have occurred every week for the first 3 months then every fortnight—or is this just another attempt to cover up a horrendous set of circumstances that his department presided over? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: I have acknowledged and the report identifies where mistakes have been made and where practices could be improved. Instructions have been issued to ensure that service managers oversee probation officers on a regular basis. 
Simon Power 
: How does the Minister explain the difference between Barry Matthews’ assessment that Burton’s parole was well managed based on the internal report and the Minister’s statements and those of the Prime Minister this week that it could have been managed better; and how can he claim to have confidence in the Department of Corrections’ report when the Prime Minister went so far as to seek independent advice from the Law Commission to challenge the findings of his own department? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: Barry Matthews is a good chief executive officer. He is not perfect. I do not agree with his description of Graeme Burton’s parole management. 
Simon Power 
: Does the Minister recall the words of the Acting Minister of Corrections the Hon Margaret Wilson in 2003 when she publicly acknowledged and deeply regretted that there had been a number of mistakes in the way that mass murderer William Duane Bell’s parole had been managed including the fact that as with Burton his probation officer had gone on leave and home checks had not been completed; in light of the standard set by the Hon Margaret Wilson will the Minister take the opportunity right now to make a public apology in the House this afternoon? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: I cannot remember the particular words said by the Acting Minister at the time but I understand the situation. We will move to ensure that when probation officers go on holiday there is adequate cover and that the service managers oversee the proper transfer of responsibilities. 
Simon Power 
: Why did the Department of Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews claim after the Prime Minister’s statement to the House that opened this year’s sitting that he was not aware of any changes to the Parole Act and why was his department which has to administer the probation service not consulted; has the situation simply got to the point where the entire department—even in terms of seeking the department’s advice on issues like changes to parole—no longer has the confidence of the Prime Minister? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: The process of consultation with Mr Matthews and the department is taking place at this moment to ensure that changes to parole will in fact improve the situation and provide better security for the community.