Page 2185 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 3 August 2021

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


unit must be replaced as soon as possible. Two more vehicles were also being considered for replacement. The procurement of an additional vehicle followed inappropriate practices, and WorkSafe ACT had to issue a prohibition notice for it.

Minister, what does it say about your performance and your predecessor’s performance that as of November 2020 all CTU vehicles were either: being assessed for replacement, being replaced, under a WorkSafe prohibition, deemed unsuitable or had a series design flaw?

MR GENTLEMAN: The 2020 Court Transport Unit review focused on the Court Transport Unit’s fleet of vehicles. Following that review, ACT Corrective Services has implemented updated and improved procurement procedures for court transport vehicles. The CTU report did make a comment that the Camrys were unsuitable, largely due to their size, for the transport of detainees. It did not however make a formal recommendation in relation to the safety of the Camrys and it did not review AMC transport vehicles.

MRS JONES: Minister, does it take a formal recommendation for common sense to prevail? How many Camrys were being used by the CTU? What will happen to them now that they are no longer being used?

MR GENTLEMAN: I do not approve the use of the vehicles. That is done particularly by corrections operational procedures. I do not think it comes down to me to allocate them what vehicles they should use. Of course, Camrys are an ANCAP five-star rated vehicle, quite safe on ACT roads, and they have, of course, been the subject of human rights recommendations for the way that detainees should be transported, particularly in these circumstances, to medical facilities.

MRS KIKKERT: Minister, how much does the government pay SG Fleet to lease each individual CTU vehicle?

MR GENTLEMAN: I will have to take the question of that detail on notice.

Youth—mental health programs and resources

MR DAVIS: My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, I was delighted last week to see that headspace has opened up a brand new facility in my electorate of Brindabella. Can you please update the Assembly on what you are doing and what the ACT government is doing to support the mental health and wellbeing particularly of young people in Tuggeranong.

MS DAVIDSON: I thank Mr Davis for the question. Headspace Tuggeranong will be an important addition to the mental health service system in the ACT, particularly for children and young people on the south side. It is a very well-integrated part of the ACT’s mental health sector. It offers an important step for children and young people who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns.

Schools in Tuggeranong can also offer the Black Dog Institute’s Youth Aware of Mental Health program. This is a free program that is offered to year 9 students, and


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video