Hon Christopher Finlayson

Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) to the Attorney-General: Will he meet with earthquake victims’ families to hear directly why they need independent legal representation; if not, why not?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) : Yes.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Is the cost to the Crown the reason he will not provide independent legal representation to quake victims’ families?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: No.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Specifically then, given that answer, what is the harm in providing independent legal representation to quake victims’ families?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: It is not a question of harm; it is a question of what is appropriate in the circumstances. I have been very happy with the excellent work the royal commission has done. Justice Cooper, who is the chair of the commission, the counsel assisting, and the families’ liaison person have kept in very close touch with these families to help them through this time. It is very like the royal commission on the Victorian bushfire, which I know the member is interested in. The commissioner said: “The significance of the losses of 7 February led counsel assisting to adopt a role in the hearings that represented, as far as possible, the public interest and particularly the interest of families, friends and communities affected by the fires.”

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Does he agree that refusing to provide independent legal representation to the families is likely to result in those families losing confidence in the effectiveness of the royal commission inquiry, the evidence of which is provided in an open letter from Quake Families to him and the Prime Minister, which is partly published today?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: No.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: I seek leave to table a letter from Quake Families—a group representing 50 quake families. It is an open letter to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General dated 10 August 2011, which details the lack of confidence I spoke about.

Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

• Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Given that there is no harm in providing independent legal representation, why is he still refusing those requests for assistance, when providing such representation will afford grieving families some degree of comfort during what can be described only as an incredibly traumatic time?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Because I am very satisfied with the excellent work being done by Justice Cooper, counsel assisting the royal commission, and the families’ liaison person. They are doing wonderful work and are keeping in touch with the families. I believe they will enable the families to be helped through this very difficult period.