Martin Tracey: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMartin Tracey: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 30 October 2014. Volume:701;Page:426. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.TRACEY MARTIN (Deputy Leader—NZ First)to the Minister for Women: Does she support the Prime Minister’s statement on election night that “I will lead a Government that will govern for all New Zealanders”?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Women):Yes.Tracey Martin: In what specific ways will the Minister for Women ensure that women fully benefit from the Prime Minister’s aspirational statement?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: There are many opportunities for women to contribute more to our economic growth. In particular it is about making sure that women are aware of the opportunities in growing industries. Construction is a great example. The construction industry is growing and is expected to be in double digits by the year 2017. So there is an opportunity for us to work with industries employers and women of course to make sure that they are aware of those opportunities.Tracey Martin: What priority does the Ministry of Women’s Affairs give in its work programme for 2014-15 to the issue of sexual violence and abuse against women and girls?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Any violence against women is abhorrent and I am committed to working with the other Ministers in the sector—the Minister of Justice the Minister of Police and the Minister for Social Development—to ensure that we have a work programme that is not just about dealing with victims of sexual violence but actually preventing it in the first place.Tracey Martin: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Just for some clarification both the questions I have asked—one in what specific ways; and two what priority—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just make the point of order please.Tracey Martin: I am not confident that the questions have been answered by the Minister—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I can assist the member. In the first case there is no doubt in my mind that the question was answered or addressed. In the case of the second one I think the way forward would be to invite the member to ask the second question again with regard to the priorities of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and allow the Minister to answer it.Tracey Martin: What priority does the Ministry of Women’s Affairs give in its work programme for 2014-15 to the issue of sexual violence and abuse against women and girls?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: There is a group of Ministers who will work together in the space of sexual violence. It will build on the work that was done in the previous Parliament. As the Minister for Women I will proudly play an active part and will make that a priority for the year ahead.Tracey Martin: What specific steps is the Ministry of Women’s Affairs taking to address the prevalence of sexual violence against women—specific steps?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: I have been in the role of the Minister for Women for 2 weeks. One of the things that I will be focusing on in the weeks and months ahead is focusing the work of the ministry into the areas that count for New Zealanders. It will be aligned with the Government’s priorities. But I will make this commitment to the member: it is clear in New Zealand that sexual violence is intolerable. I have also said in my speech in the Address in Reply debate in this House that I welcome any very practical comments and solutions from any member of this House who has a solution that they believe will reduce and prevent any sexual violence against any woman of our land.Tracey Martin: In light of that answer and in recognition that as a new Minister she will have been briefed on previous work what steps is the Ministry of Women’s Affairs taking to improve the capacity of Government agencies to identify and appropriately deal with violence against women and the sexual abuse of women and girls?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: I want to reiterate the comment that I made in my previous answer: I will proudly work with the other Ministers who are involved in this important work and I will be working on the priorities with the ministry according to the work that has already been undertaken to work with our plan going forward. As I have said as a new Minister those decisions have yet to be made but I will take those commitments seriously and at a later point I would be more than happy for that member to put a question in writing. As I have said give me more than 2 weeks and I will happily share that with the member and I would very very happily share any contribution to solving this issue that you might have.