KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark has backed Corrections Department boss Barry Matthews and his minister Damien O'Connor after National called for their heads today.
The first sitting of Parliament since a series of reports on how authorities managed the release of Graeme Burton who committed murder while on parole, saw National MPs attack Labour over the conduct of the department and the Parole Board.
National Leader John Key took issue with Mr Matthews competence to continue in his job saying he seemed to believe Burton's parole had been well managed.
Mr Key mocked Mr Matthews for saying he had "no blood" on his hands.
Helen Clark said the department clearly had room for improvement, but Mr Matthews was the right man for the job.
"I am on the record as saying it could have been better managed," Helen Clark said.
"I actually have great respect for Barry Matthews and I will support him fixing those problems in the department."
Helen Clark told MPs that the Government would bring law changes to make it easier for the Parole Board to get and take account of information about parole applicants.
The board had not applied the correct standard of proof in considering Burton's case and this would be cleared up, Miss Clark said.
It would also allow police to apply directly to the board for the recall of those when it had concerns for public safety.
Mr Key accused Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor of not fronting up after the reports into what happened and instead allowing Miss Clark to handle the issue.
Helen Clark told MPs she had made statements on the issue because responsibility crossed numerous ministers' portfolios.
National's law and order spokesman Simon Power also attacked Mr O'Connor directly during question time saying the reports had found Burton's parole officer had been on leave and this led to delays of a week in handling his case.
Mr O'Connor said he believed the parole could have been handled better.
The reports into the Burton case have been described as a whitewash by National, Mr O'Connor said they were technically and legally correct, but staff could have acted in a more timely matter.
Mr Power claimed that the Corrections Department official who wrote the report on the Burton case had been involved in his management.
Mr Power said it appeared nothing had been learnt from the Panmure RSA murder committed by William Bell while he was on parole.
- NZPA
