Page 1434 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
directorate’s highest priority. When allegations are raised in relation to the behaviour of any employee working in this setting, these are taken very seriously and investigated appropriately while affording all parties appropriate procedural fairness. Of course, such investigations can be stressful for staff and can impact on morale. However, the CSD executive is committed to fully investigating allegations and maintaining the highest possible standard in the quality of care provided to young people.
I would like to assure the Assembly that all matters raised in recent weeks are being appropriately responded to by the Human Rights Commission, which has the statutory authority to investigate these matters. The Human Rights Commission has a strong record of leading and supporting reform in youth justice and providing oversight, and I thank the commission for the strong and effective role it has played and continues to play. Notwithstanding the investigations undertaken by independent bodies or the Human Rights Commission, all allegations as a matter of course have also been referred to ACT Policing.
In all critical incidents there are opportunities to learn, and the directorate values the role unions can play as one avenue for communication with and participation of staff. For example, in February this year the CPSU co-sponsored, with management at Bimberi, a number of workshops to explore quality improvement. From this, a specific subcommittee of the workplace consultative committee has been established to ensure ongoing staff engagement in quality practice improvement at Bimberi, and this committee recently held its first meeting.
In addition to the quality assurance mechanisms I have outlined today, members will also be aware of the external oversight mechanisms that exist. The Human Rights Commission, Public Advocate and official visitors play a vital role in this respect. Each year the minister tables the independent report for the official visitors, and I would like to acknowledge their commitment to developing strong relationships with the young people at Bimberi. Recent reports from official visitors also make abundantly clear the high quality of relationships that exist between staff and young people at Bimberi.
I would also like to inform the Assembly of additional measures that are in development to strengthen this oversight in coming years. The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is an international agreement aimed at preventing torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Under the OPCAT, states parties agree to international inspections of places of detention by the United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture. States parties are also required to establish an independent national preventive mechanism to conduct inspections of all places of detention. This includes prisons, youth detention centres, local and offshore immigration detention facilities and other places where people are deprived of their liberty.
The Assembly will be aware that the government has recently committed to a new model of oversight for the corrections system in the ACT. As announced by my
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video