(uncorrected transcript — subject to correction and further editing) 11. SUE BRADFORD (Green) to the Minister of Women's Affairs: What is the Government doing to implement its commitment to "reduce the incidence and impact of violence on women"? Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Women's Affairs): A number of initiatives are being actioned under the Te Rito* family violence prevention strategy, particularly in relation to the abuse of women by their spouses or partners. The strategy contains the Government's key goals and objectives for preventing family violence and a 5-year work programme. Sue Bradford: What steps, if any, is the Minister taking to ensure that the Help Foundation's* sexual abuse crisis centre in Auckland will be able to survive in a situation where 20 of its staff have just been made redundant and it faces closure in 3 weeks, especially in light of the Government's new commitment to reduce the impact of sexual violence on women? Hon RUTH DYSON: The Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation** is a well-regarded provider, and I am committed to continuing to work with it to resolve the issue of its viability. I am keen to ensure that the three sectors involved in its funding work together with Help to look at both its management and future funding. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban: What specific initiatives are being implemented under the Te Rito strategy to reduce violence on women? Hon RUTH DYSON: Work is under way to develop a research and information service to coordinate, promote, and distribute information on best-practice* prevention of family violence. The Department of Child Youth and Family Services* has received additional funding to improve access to family violence programmes and services for victims, which has been allocated to 68 service providers across the country. Katherine Rich: When the Ministry of Women's Affairs has a budget of about $2 for each New Zealand woman and is one of the most invisible ministries, can the Minister understand why some women are embarrassed that their concerns are ghettoised in an often-ignored bureaucracy; if not, why not? Hon RUTH DYSON: I can understand the frustration and anger that women felt during the 1990s — a decade in which a National-led Government ignored the advice of the Ministry of Women's Affairs. When that Government came into power in 1990, its very first action was to repeal the pay and employment legislation — a very clear message to New Zealand women. Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I ask you to read the Hansard of the Hon Ruth Dyson's answer later in the day. That was a straight-out political speech — of very little merit, I might add. Nevertheless, it should not have been allowed to stand as an answer. We know that the Government clearly has a tactic of returning to the 1990s to try to push its point, but it seems to me to be quite inappropriate that a Minister should be able to answer without any reference at all to anything that she has done as Minister. Mr SPEAKER: It is about six of one and half a dozen of the other. There are political statements that are made in this House by way of question and by way of answer. I think that has always been so in Parliament, and I have not observed much change in 38 years. Ron Mark: Does the Minister believe that she has an obligation to reduce the incidence and impact of violence on women police officers; if so, what has she done to get the Minister of Police to cease sending front-line*, general duties police officers on patrol at night in suburban New Zealand alone — anything, or nothing? Hon RUTH DYSON: I would be happy to work with that member if he has particular concerns about the safety of any police officers in New Zealand and to make appropriate representations to the Minister. Sue Bradford: Why has it been so difficult to apply a whole-of-Government* approach to the funding of an essential agency like the Help Foundation when Ministers, including the Minister of Women's Affairs and the Hon Steve Maharey, were evidently aware of the need to find a sustainable funding solution as far back as 2002, and when the Government has a commitment to finding more holistic resourcing methods for groups like this? Hon RUTH DYSON: When my colleagues and I met with that organisation in 2002, we adopted what I thought was a very sensible and easy whole-of-Government approach. It was my understanding then that there had been long-term resolution to the funding situation, and it was only the week before last that I discovered this was not the case. I recommit myself to continuing to work with that organisation to ensure its long-term viability. Sue Bradford: Has the Minister considered, as part of the Government's commitment to the reduction of the impact of violence on women and as part of the commitment that the Minister has just made, that perhaps New Zealand should take a leaf out of the Australian Government's book and provide ongoing, substantial, and sufficient funding to groups working with the victims of sexual violence? Hon RUTH DYSON: I do not have in front of me the comparative figures between Australia's level of funding and New Zealand's, but I would be interested in looking at those. Ron Mark: I seek leave to table a report dated 8 March 2004 about a policewoman* being dispatched to a violent incident alone. Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document, is there any objection? Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House. Ron Mark: I seek leave to table a report dated 8 March 2004 showing that attacks on police officers involving firearms, knives, and other weapons have risen by 47.3 percent over the past 5 years. Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document, is there any objection? Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House. Ron Mark: I seek leave to request that the Minister of Police table by 2 p.m. on Thursday 18 March a report detailing how many times in the last 2 years the Police have sent police officers on patrol alone at night in suburban New Zealand, and that the report detail whether those officers were male or female. Mr SPEAKER: This is an unusual one. Leave is sought for a Minister to table something by a certain time. Is there any objection? There is.