12. Children in State Care—Historic Complaint ResolutionJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentChildren in State Care—Historic Complaint Resolution12. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social Development: Why will she not implement a crucial recommendation of the confidential listening service that an independent body is needed to resolve historic and current complaints of abuse and neglect in State care?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): The Ministry of Social Development's historic claims resolution team is impartial and operates independently of Child Youth and Family. It is important to note that the Ministry of Social Development did not exist in the 1950s and 1960s when most of this abuse occurred. The recommendations from the final report of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service have informed the work on the overhaul of Child Youth and Family and this Cabinet has agreed that the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki will consider an independent complaints service that will ensure robust monitoring and accountability. But I do note that we have made good progress in resolving these historic claims. Last year I introduced a fast-track process that gives claimants an option to have their claims resolved faster while still receiving an apology and if they want a financial settlement. Around 900 payments have been made to date totalling more than $17 million.Jan Logie: Will the Minister admit it is possible that some people who were abused in State care may not trust the State to properly investigate their claims of abuse?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: That is always possible. However the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service which was set up under the previous Labour Government and was in place for 7 years heard from 1100 people who came forward with their stories and not only had the opportunity to tell their stories and have them taken seriously but received various types of assistance. It is interesting that only half of those went on to make a claim which indicates that the member is right—some people do not want to go further with the claims process.Jan Logie: Will the Minister admit it is possible that some people who were told they could have an apology only if they gave up any legal claim against the State might feel that the process did not have their best interests at heart?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: That is a hypothetical question. What I do know is that in the claims process which as I said has paid out compensation and given an apology both from the chief executive and in any case where it is requested from me as Minister we do everything we can to ensure that and the fast-track process means it is only fact-checked. There is no investigation. We only make sure that the person was in the place that they said at the time that they said—we make that process as simple as possible. I have heard from complainants that what they want is recognition that they were abused—which we all find appalling—and they want the State to take responsibility for that and they want an apology. In some cases they want some form of financial compensation. But we all know in this House that no money can ever ever make up for the abuse and the trauma that those people have suffered.Jan Logie: Why does she think Judge Henwood said there is not a shred of empathy or remorse in the Minister's response to this report? [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order!Hon ANNE TOLLEY: There is a constitutional process whereby the judiciary respects this Parliament and Parliament respects the judiciary. I am not going to step over that.Jan Logie: Considering the Minister's apparent lack of empathy or remorse how can we trust her to truly keep the best interests of children at the heart of the Child Youth and Family reforms?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I have always been of the opinion that you judge a person by their actions not their words. I think the legislation that I have brought to this House and will bring to this House will show that I am determined that the new system will keep children at the heart of it and that their voices will be heard. It is disappointing that the Green Party and the Labour Party do not support children having the right to have a say about their futures in the legislation that is before the House at the moment.