GEORGINA BEYER (Labour—Wairarapa): It is with some relief that these two reports into the deaths of Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson have now been publicly released into the public arena. The release has been long awaited, certainly by myself. With regard to the reports directly, I think eloquent words have been spoken today by most members who have contributed to this debate. Having read through the reports, I would like to congratulate the authors of both of them on the information contained inside. I concur with their findings, with their views, and with the recommendations they have made. More than most members in this House, I have been closely associated not only with this particular tragic event, but also with several others that have occurred in the Wairarapa over the past decade. One other member of this House has had a close association with those matters, and is Edwin Perry of New Zealand First. He and I have concurred on a number of occasions about what we can do about this problem.
What I would like to offer the House is this: after politicians and other public commentators have vented their spleens and tried to point the fickle finger of fate at whoever they believe should take the most blame or responsibility for it, one thing is certain, and it is that the entire nation has to take responsibility for the domestic violence dealt out to the children of our society. I believe that this country, and not just my own community, would like to endeavour to do that, and so I ask my colleagues to put the politics aside. It does not move the matter forward if we stand here bitching and—excuse me, I will withdraw and apologise for that—whingeing, at least, over what is the best way to do it.
We need to support input from all our various and diverse communities on the best way to deal with these matters in our own localities and what suits us best, because one size will not fit all. The overarching departments that have the substantive responsibilities, such as the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services and other social agencies, also need to look and review—as the baseline review for that service did. Many other reports that have come out subsequently have alluded to the improvements that must be made, and we can do it.
After the deaths of Saliel and Olympia, and because of the outrage of the Masterton and Wairarapa community, the House may recall that I reported—on the infrequent occasions I had the opportunity to speak in general debates—on what that community was doing, and, in particular, on the “Rise Above It” campaign. I dispute Mr Sowry’s statement that nothing has been put into our area since that particular time. In fact, a meeting is occurring in Masterton today, facilitated by the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, to extend the role of everyday communities. What we did after those deaths in starting the “Rise Above It” campaign in the Wairarapa was the beginning of the community taking greater responsibility.
As mentioned in the Commissioner for Children’s report, the community had a role to play in the breakdown of that family. That community in its anger reacted and said: “Come on, leadership. Get it together and show us the way!” The community first approached the Mayor of Masterton, and then I became involved, and we tried to do that. I am no expert in these things, nor necessarily is the Mayor of Masterton, but we took the best advice we could. I did bang on the doors of the Minister for Social Development and Employment and others responsible, and I have to say to Mr Sowry that we were somewhat comforted by the immediate reaction. Too little, too late, would be the counter-argument that somebody might make, but I do not care about that. Better late than never! Let us move on and improve what we are doing.
I would like to pay my respects to this particular family, who, as these reports make clear, endured for many years the hellish life that ended up in this tragic event. I would like also to acknowledge the extended wha-nau, the immediate community, and the wider community of New Zealand, whose hearts have been torn by these experiences—not just by this particular event, but by numerous well-documented others that have occurred in the Wairarapa and elsewhere around the country.
In conclusion, I want to make the point again to my colleagues: let us make politics minimal in this debate, and let us look for resolution, solution, and the collaboration of ideas. Picking the best out of that may be where we can, as a country, move forward on this matter.
