Andersen GinnyJusticeGINNY ANDERSEN (Chairperson of the Justice Committee): Thank you Mr Chair. As the chair of the Justice Committee it is my privilege to speak briefly in terms of what the committee heard as part of the 2020-21 annual review of the Justice Committee.Right first up: members were very eager to hear about law enforcement and what work was being done particularly in that space. And it was very interesting to hear from Secretary of Justice Andrew Kibblewhite that incarceration on its own mainly just leads to further incarceration. The Secretary for Justice stated quite clearly that he believes that better outcomes could be achieved within our justice system in the long run by shifting the system's emphasis towards lowering crime noting that was addressing the causes of that crime and in particular having greater services in the space of mental health support drug and addictions treatment that run right across the board. Those approaches those rehabilitative training and drug and alcohol treatment programmes are those that address those underlying causes of crime and in the end drive down our incarceration rates in New Zealand.We also touched on some of the improvements that have been made to the Family Court. It was noted that there have been concerns with some of the delays that have been occurring in this space. The ministry stated that in 2020 and 2021 it implemented the recommendations from Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau: The final report of the Independent Panel examining the 2014 family justice reforms. To date the ministry has recruited new kaiārahi the Family Court navigators who inform people considering applying to the court about resolution and support options. In addition to this they have supported faster resolution of cases by working within the judiciary to develop a new role to make the process more straightforward and to make those tasks within the court system more straightforward for those participating. And finally under those changes they've also supported the progress of legislation to enhance children's participation within the decision-making process about their care and to provide children's voice in that process which previously had not been there.The committee also looked at how the Ministry of Justice was supporting Te Ao Mārama. Te Ao Mārama is a programme is a vision for the District Court to be a place where all New Zealanders can seek justice regardless of their ethnicity culture finances or ability. It draws upon the lessons of solution-orientated therapeutic courts and tries to involve the community in that process. The two pilot courts for Te Ao Mārama were the Gisborne and Hamilton District Courts but officials also noted that Porirua's Young Adult List court is resulting in better compliance with bail conditions. There were also examples provided of Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua ki Kirikiriroa the Waikato Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court which opened in Hamilton. The ministry has supported the judiciary in consulting with local iwi as well as other groups in these communities.I'd like to also touch on the outcomes that are being seen through the joint venture. The Ministry of Justice is one of nine Government agencies in the joint venture for family violence and sexual violence and the ministry hosts the business unit which provides the venture's governance secretariat. A three-year policy work programme that has been outlined by the ministry seeks to normalise therapeutic solutions for family violence and also sexual violence in District Court. It's important to note that it employs process which involve again the community and iwi and if court process chooses to do so also the victim. The work programme seeks to promote access to services support workforce capability and improve data and evidence. The programme is also aligned with Te Ao Mārama.We also looked at the rising number of concerns around violent crime and also there were some examples given of the changes to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 which the ministry is leading. In 2022 the ministry will also work with police to review the Search and Surveillance Act of 2012 and that review will consider in detail the recommendations of the royal commission of inquiry on the terrorist attack in Christchurch as well as the 2017 recommendations to improve the Act made by the Law Commission and the ministry.It was a thorough and enjoyable session with the Minister and those officials and all members had some good information about what's going forward. Thank you Mr Chair.