Page 1650 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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The second part of my comments which was incorrect related to comments that I made when I said:
You tabled the quarterly reports monthly, Mr Smyth. You did not table the revised operating result.
The first part of that statement was correct. However, the second part was not. In making those comments, I was acting on advice from my department. However, I did follow up on Mr Smyth’s interjections and asked that the advice be checked again. I have received further advice today that the original advice was not entirely correct.
In some monthly reports the estimated outcome for the year was not reported, just year to date, but in others it was. The decision to move from monthly reporting to quarterly reporting was made to improve the quality of the information provided to the Assembly and was supported unanimously at the time.
Mr Speaker, I hope that corrects the record, and I apologise for any inconvenience to the Assembly.
Mr Smyth: I would like to thank the Treasurer for standing up and making that correction and addressing the concerns that I had.
Questions without notice
Alexander Maconochie Centre
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Minister for Corrective Services and relates to the transfer of prisoners into the AMC which commenced this week. Minister, according to Corrective Services officers giving evidence to the inquiry into delays at the AMC, on the completion of the five-day fault-free period, there should be a period of four weeks to allow “staff to completely familiarise themselves with all the working environments right through the centre”. According to Corrective Services, this was to be done because, according to the—and I quote:
… enormous amount of literature on commissioning prisons … the risks are fairly high [and that the risks include] anything from assaults to deaths in custody, riots and escapes.
Yesterday, minister, you told the Assembly that Corrective Services took possession of the prison on 20 March and that prisoners started arriving on 30 March. Minister, why did you cut short the four-week familiarisation period?
MR HARGREAVES: My recollection is that it was indicated that it could also be shortened, which it was. We also need to understand that one of the benefits, if you like—sad but true benefits—of the delay—
Mr Smyth: But why was it shortened?
MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, if I get interjections, I will just stop, start and then start all over again. If you want to have only 25 per cent of the question answered, it is your call.
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