Bridges scolds Faafoi over Government reforms

National Party MP Simon Bridges says Justice Minister Kris Faafoi is offering ‘‘not much comfort . . . for the victim of rape’’ through the Government’s ongoing reforms.

Faafoi fronted the Justice Select Committee yesterday and laid out the Government’s work in the justice sector, a major policy area for the prior Labour-coalition Government which has progressed slowly.

Bridges, the party’s justice spokesperson, pressed Faafoi on claims of rising serious crime figures, the potential extradition of a New Zealand resident to

China, and the Government’s plans for hate speech laws.

‘‘You’re effectively saying to the committee that you have a strong focus on overrepresentation of Ma¯ ori in the justice system, I think we all agree that’s a worthy focus, but it’s not much comfort in terms of policy work going forward for the victim of rape, is it?’’ Bridge said.

‘‘I’m asking you what you’re going to do about serious crime rising, and you’re telling me you want to address the overrepresentation of Ma¯ ori in the system. And I get that, but it’s not really an answer.’’

Bridges later clarified he was speaking about a rise in serious assaults, including ‘‘serious assault resulting in injury’’ charges which have doubled since 2017, to more than 20,000 such assaults recorded in 2020.

The most recent police crime statistics say the introduction of new family violence laws in 2018 ‘‘has resulted in police recognising and recording these more serious offences’’.

Information provided by Faafoi’s office contended that serious crime had dropped overall since 2017, a 5 per cent decrease in the number of people charged with serious offences, and a 10 per cent decrease in the number of people charged with violent offences.

Faafoi said dealing with the reasons behind why people offend would, over time, reduce the rates of such crimes. The Government’s rehabilitative efforts included ‘‘mainstreaming’’ the successful aspects of the alcohol and drug courts, and Te Pae Oranga, or iwi community panels.

Asked about Kyung Yup Kim, a Korean-born New Zealand resident who has for a decade been facing an extradition request from China over a murder charge, Faafoi said he would not comment directly on the case.

The Supreme Court last Friday ruled Kim’s extradition could take place, if Faafoi was able to receive sufficient reassurance from the Chinese Government that a fair trial would take place and that Kim would not be tortured.