Pillay Lynne: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Pillay Lynne: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:648;Page:17485] 
LYNNE PILLAY (Chairperson of the Justice and Electoral Committee): 
 It is an absolute pleasure to stand and speak after our hard-working and amazing Minister of Justice Annette King. I want to acknowledge her and at the risk of repeating the message I have to say that I too am absolutely astounded at Kate Wilkinson’s speech. “Honest Kate” though who was— 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Order! 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: Sorry Mr Chair. Kate Wilkinson is a member of a party that is not the party of compulsion but when in Government last it dropped legal aid rates. National has been banging on as we all have about the importance of reviewing legal aid rates and raising them. That is exactly what our Minister of Justice has done and I think that is fantastic. 
I want to talk also about victims’ rights which this Government sees as so important. I acknowledge the former member Nandor Tanczos who suggested the inquiry into victims’ rights. It was a very good inquiry. The Justice and Electoral Committee went on the trip to Melbourne to look at victims’ rights and legal aid as well. We thought we could get some meaningful information and advice to enhance those services in New Zealand. 
Hon Annette King 
: Who went? 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: Every Labour member of the select committee went; the Green member went and it was fantastic to see it. Hone Harawira came along with us for some of the time and worked very hard whilst he was there but National Party members of the committee hijacked the trip. They did not come. As a result of that trip we now see enhanced victims’ rights in this country and also a Victims’ Charter which is a direct result of the information we gained. We have further resources for victims’ support. It has reinforced the importance of our Government’s commitment to victims’ rights in our country. 
Hone Harawira 
: Great trip! 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: Thank you very much. The member says it was a great trip and I acknowledge that the member contributed greatly for the time that he was there. I acknowledge also Ann Hartley; like all of us she believed in the importance of victims’ rights and getting information on legal aid. It is very unfortunate that the National committee members were too busy politicking in wanting to go to their conference and did not go on the trip so they could spend time looking at improving the situation for victims in New Zealand. 
I congratulate also the Law Commission. The select committee has looked at a lot of the commission’s recommendations. A lot of bills have resulted from its recommendations. I acknowledge the hard work of the commission and the useful advice it has given us on a variety of different bills and issues before the very hard-working and ably chaired select committee. 
I cannot speak without mentioning section 59 of the Crimes Act and all the work of the Law Commission in assisting us. I pay tribute to the members of our caucus who stood firm in relation to section 59 because there was a need for change. They did not freeload or whip up a frenzy or hand out misinformation. [ 
Interruption 
] 
I acknowledge poor Chester Borrows who has just chipped in. He worked very hard. I did not agree with his amendment but he did put the time in and he listened. His party just rode roughshod over him and his amendment. National members whipped up a storm and then at the eleventh hour they followed the leader because they thought: “Gosh! We thought there were a lot of votes in this. Maybe it is backfiring on us.” So the National Party which is not the party of compulsion changed its mind again. We see that party changing its mind further on a variety of different things. 
I have to say that Kate Wilkinson who is on the committee has really worked very hard and has sometimes made quite a contribution. But it was particularly distressing to hear Kate Wilkinson denigrating legal aid and the Government’s response to that issue. I find that really sad.