Labour funding criteria ignores victims of crime
Chester Borrows MP
National Party Police Spokesman

30 August 2007

The Government needs to explain its criteria for deciding how it funds one law & order lobby group over another, says National’s Police spokesman, Chester Borrows.

He is commenting on a report that neither the Corrections Department nor the Ministry of Justice has responded to applications, made in May, to help fund the Advancing Victims’ Rights conference this weekend, organised by the Sensible Sentencing Trust and the Red Raincoat Trust.

“I find this disturbing, considering the Government gives a lot of taxpayer money to the Prison Fellowship, which supports prisoners.”

He is releasing information that shows the Prison Fellowship received $9,000 each from Justice and Corrections for its 2006 conference, and $15,000 from Justice and $16,875 from Corrections for its 2007 conference.

“All these groups play a very important part in the law and order debate, and this weekend’s conference seems likely to contribute greatly to that.

“You just need to see who’s going to it to know the subject matter is of broad interest: the Parole Board Chairman, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner, the Chief District Court Judge, senior police, Victim Support – and family members of about 38 homicide victims.

“It does seem this Government wants to listen only to people who agree with them, whereas the Sensible Sentencing Trust is well known for its willingness to take the Government on.

“You only need to look at the Electoral Finance Bill to see how far this Government is prepared to go to quash dissent.

“It’s also disappointing that Justice Minister Mark Burton could not see his way clear to attend this conference, but perhaps that fits with this Government's record on treating victims:

• Their legislation to cut the prison population by letting more inmates out of jail tried to take away victims’ rights.
• They extended the right of inmates to seek compensation for a further three years, and victims have to re-live the crime if they want to claim any of it.
• They tried to take away the right of victims to appear before the Parole Board.

“We must show a stronger commitment to victims’ rights than this Government has. At least this conference is attempting to make a difference.”

Answers to parliamentary questions:

08338 (2007). Simon Power to the Minister of Corrections (16 May 2007): What funding was contributed towards the Prison Fellowship conference in 2006, specified by what costs this funding covered?
Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor replied: The Department of Corrections contributed $8,000 (excluding GST) towards the cost of publishing the proceedings of the Prison Fellowship conference in 2006.

08327 (2007). Simon Power to the Minister of Justice (16 May 2007): What funding was contributed towards the Prison Fellowship conference in 2006, specified by what costs this funding covered?
Justice Minister Mark Burton replied: I am advised that in 2006 the Ministry of Justice contributed $9,000 (incl GST) in funding to support the costs of the Prison Fellowship conference.

08340 (2007). Simon Power to the Minister of Corrections (16 May 2007): What funding, if any, was contributed towards the Prison Fellowship conference in 2007, specified by what costs this funding covered?
Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor replied: The Department of Corrections contributed $15,000 (excluding GST) towards the cost of bringing three international speakers to the Prison Fellowship conference in 2007.

08328 (2007). Simon Power to the Minister of Justice (16 May 2007): What funding, if any, was contributed towards the Prison Fellowship conference in 2007, specified by what costs this funding covered?
Justice Minister Mark Burton replied: I am advised that in 2007 the Ministry of Justice contributed $15,000 (incl GST) in funding to support the costs of the Prison Fellowship Conference.

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