Page 2144 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 3 August 2021
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MR BRADDOCK (Yerrabi) (10.21): I note that Mrs Kikkert was compelled to bring this motion. She seems to have been compelled to brief the Canberra Times yesterday. She seems to have been compelled, but not so far as to actually write down any details in the particular motion; just one line has been brought to this Assembly, with no justification. It is as if the Assembly need to get the vibe of the thing, which is what I was required to do this morning, from reading the Canberra Times, where she describes a number of events that have occurred, without necessarily linking them back to Mr Gentleman’s performance as minister. But these events took—
Mrs Kikkert interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Kikkert, you were heard in silence.
MR BRADDOCK: These events occurred even before Mr Gentleman actually took over the ministerial responsibility. This litany of events highlights that corrections is a challenging portfolio in any jurisdiction, and Canberra is no exception.
Whilst there is no such thing as an easy portfolio for a minister, jails are hard and horrible places. They involve the application of force and removal of freedoms on people who have a history of noncompliance and violence. Being a prison guard is a difficult and stressful job, and I would like to thank those guards for their hard work and dedication.
Yes, there are problems with the AMC. A lot of these stem from flaws in its original design. These do not lend themselves to quick and easy fixes. They are complex and difficult to resolve.
Mr Gentleman has explained the measures he has undertaken since taking responsibility for this portfolio, and I look forward to seeing how these measures play out. I wish Minister Gentleman the best in this challenging role and look forward, as the Greens spokesperson for corrections, to continuing to work with Mr Gentleman so that we can improve the outcomes for all guards and prisoners in the corrections portfolio. Therefore the Greens cannot support this motion.
MADAM SPEAKER: Can I remind members that this is a serious motion, one of the most serious that we will get in this place. Mrs Kikkert was heard in silence and I expect all members to be heard in silence.
MS LEE (Kurrajong—Leader of the Opposition) (10.23): This motion of no confidence that Mrs Kikkert brings today is about our corrections officers, our police, our ambulance and fire brigade, our detainees, and our community. The Minister for Corrections has demonstrated time and time again that he is not fit to hold this ministry.
Under this minister’s watch, we have seen the management of our prisons go from bad to worse, and from worse to untenable. The scale of this minister’s failures is astonishing, and it is inconceivable that the Chief Minister has allowed this minister to continue in his post.
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