12. Family/Whānau Violence—Domestic Violence LeaveJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister of JusticeFamily/Whānau Violence—Domestic Violence Leave12. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister of Justice: Does she agree with the previous Prime Minister who said about family violence It's easy to think this is someone else's problem. But it is not someone else's problem if you are a New Zealander who cares"?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): Yes I do absolutely and that is why I have made family violence a core priority for me as justice Minister and that is why together with Minister Tolley we have put together the ministerial work programme on family and sexual violence involving Ministers from 16 portfolios working together in an unprecedented way to put victims and their safety at the heart of Government.Jan Logie: Has the Minister seen any reports supporting workplace protections such as domestic violence leave as a pathway to safety for victims of domestic violence which could save or change lives?Hon AMY ADAMS: What I can tell the member is that I undertook and the ministry undertook an extensive consultation with the sector about what reforms were needed to improve the family violence situation. We received more than 500 submissions from across the sector and organisations and representative groups. Only six of those mentioned increased workplace protections three of which were from the Green Party and the unions. And so the conclusion we reached was that it was not the most pressing issue that the sector was talking to us about as part of that consultation.Jan Logie: What evidence has she seen to support her colleague's view that domestic violence leave would cost more than the $368 million a year that it is currently costing New Zealand businesses?Hon AMY ADAMS: The member is referring to information that I assume my colleague the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety may have on his desk. It is certainly not something that I have seen and she would need to direct that question to him.Jan Logie: Does the Minister know how many workers currently have access to domestic violence leave and how long it will take for all New Zealanders to get this support; if not how can the Government suggest that businesses have already got this covered?Hon AMY ADAMS: Once more I would remind the member that questions relating to workplace health and safety relations really need to be directed to my colleague the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety. But what I would say is that as a Government we are very aware of a number of organisations in the public and private sectors that are absolutely stepping up and looking at what they can do to support their staff members who are in need and absolutely this is a Government that for the first time has shown real tangible commitment real tangible action towards reducing the impact and the cost of family violence.Jan Logie: Why does the Government not support discussion of my member's bill at the select committee when community leaders such as Women's Refuge the National Council of Women the Māori Women's Welfare League the Human Rights Commission the trade unions the Auckland chamber of commerce Business New Zealand and even the ACT Party all believe it is an important conversation?Hon AMY ADAMS: Once more issues of workplace laws are better directed to that Minister but what I will say to the member is that the advice that I have seen suggests that the member's bill would actually provide less flexibility for domestic violence victims than the amendments that this Government put in place in 2014. Unlike the member I do not want to see the situation get worse for victims."