PM defends Collins over handling of prison chief

Corrections Department chief executive Barry Matthews. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key yesterday defended how Corrections Minister Judith Collins handled recent tension with her department head.

During question time in Parliament, doubts were raised about how Ms Collins could work with Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews, after continuing to refuse to express confidence in him.

Labour leader Phil Goff led the attack over Ms Collins' ongoing refusal to express confidence in Mr Matthews.

Three weeks ago she refused to express confidence after a damning Auditor-General's report into problems with parole.

A report by State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie on Monday found Mr Matthews was accountable, but dismissal "would not be justified" due to improvements he was making.

Mr Key was asked if he had confidence in Ms Collins.

"Yes," he said. "Because she's working closely with her chief executive to restore public confidence in the Department of Corrections."

Mr Goff said Ms Collins' stance since the parole report made that impossible.

"How can he possibly have confidence in her management of, and the sustainability of, that relationship when she has irretrievably damaged it by repeatedly refusing to express confidence in her chief executive, having first prejudged his performance, and then having been proven quite wrong by the State Services Commissioner's report?"

Mr Key said Ms Collins could work with Mr Matthews and their focus was on public safety, something he noted that Mr Goff had "nothing to say" about.

Mr Goff said the Prime Minister's support of his minister drew his credibility into question.

In a separate question, Ms Collins said Mr Matthews was committed to rebuilding her confidence by successfully and quickly implementing changes to improve parole. An expert group would oversee progress.

The father of Karl Kuchenbecker, killed by parolee Graeme Burton in 2007, was disappointed Ms Collins did not sack Mr Matthews.

Auditor-General Kevin Brady's report showed the department failed to follow procedures put in place following the Burton case.

- NZPA