Episode description
In this week's Focus on Politics, Political Reporter Anneke Smith speaks to Aaron Smale and explores the initial response to New Zealand's inquiry on abuse in care.
"Maybe the government just needs to listen" - Aaron Smale
The Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into abuse in state and faith-based care unveiled this week lays bare an ugly history, offering damning evidence and denouncing leaders for silencing or ignoring survivors for decades.
The government has promised to listen, but how it responds and whether justice is served remains to be seen.
Survivors gathered on Wednesday to march to Parliament, carrying a long banner of colourful ribbons bearing the names of the children abused.
"You are heard and you are believed," was the key message from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who spoke directly to survivors sitting in the public gallery that evening. He acknowledged that what happened at Lake Alice amounted to torture, and promised redress would come - though it would take time.
The speeches that followed from all parties promised unity in responding to the Inquiry's findings and 138 recommendations, though some used their time to question some of the coalition's policies.
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins admitted Labour had not done enough when in power. Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick's speech criticised the coalition policy of boot camps, and drew the loudest applause from survivors watching from above. Children's Minister Karen Chhour (ACT) - who is responsible for those military academies - told those gathered the report only made her more determined to keep children safe. …