Page 1056 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011

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MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary question?

MR SMYTH: Indeed, Mr Speaker. Minister, have there been any times in the past when any staff—including youth workers, teaching staff and MSS guards—have been working at the centre without first being issued with personal duress alarms? If so, will you table a report that outlines those instances and the reasons therefor?

MS BURCH: It is policy that all staff are issued with duress alarms. It is clear that for MSS staff —I think I made mention of this yesterday—in particular who may be unfamiliar with the facility, there is a checklist, a sign-off list, which they go through citing that they understand the policies and procedures in place and where they take possession of the equipment required under our policies, including duress alarms.

Mrs Dunne: A point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Burch, one moment, thank you. Stop the clocks.

Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, the question was quite specific. It was not about the policy; it was about whether there have been any incidents where a duress alarm has not been issued.

MR SPEAKER: Yes. Minister, the point of order is upheld. If you could answer the question, thank you.

MS BURCH: It is my understanding that it is issued at the point of issue. As I think I stated this morning, there was an incident where staff were spoken to because they did not feel they wanted a duress alarm.

MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, why did it take the incident that occurred on 5 February and the Keating report on that incident to convince you that the need for Bimberi workers to be issued with personal duress alarms was a critical safety and security factor for those workers?

MS BURCH: Bimberi continues to be of interest.

Mr Seselja: It’s a supplementary. What did you expect?

MS BURCH: It is very good; it is very good for you. Duress alarms have been issued. I understand, from some advice, that with some of the duress mountings we have had to replace some of the mountings; there is certainly that. But staff are issued with duress alarms. It is part and parcel of the security and the equipment that are issued to work there.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mrs Dunne?


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