❓ Mr. Papalia questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding Prison Fellowship's involvement at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, specifically concerning David Volmer. The Minister acknowledges meetings with Volmer but denies involvement in granting access and expresses shock at Volmer's later conviction for child pornography offences.
AnsweredQoN 672Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PRISON FELLOWSHIP WESTERN AUSTRALIA — DAVID
VOLMER
672. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Minister for
Corrective Services:
I refer to the April 2014 newsletter
of Prison Fellowship Western Australia, then under the directorship of David Volmer,
which states —
� we have also been invited into
Banksia Hill Detention Centre to support the 12–18 year olds within
that facility. This entrance into Banksia Hill is the answer to many years of
prayer �
(1) When was
permission granted for Prison Fellowship to become involved at the Banksia Hill
Detention Centre?
(2) Did David
Volmer visit Banksia Hill as part of Prison Fellowship's activities
with children at the centre?
(3) Was the
minister involved in the decision to allow access; and, if not, who authorised
the involvement?
VOLMER
672. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Minister for
Corrective Services:
I refer to the April 2014 newsletter
of Prison Fellowship Western Australia, then under the directorship of David Volmer,
which states —
� we have also been invited into
Banksia Hill Detention Centre to support the 12–18 year olds within
that facility. This entrance into Banksia Hill is the answer to many years of
prayer �
(1) When was
permission granted for Prison Fellowship to become involved at the Banksia Hill
Detention Centre?
(2) Did David
Volmer visit Banksia Hill as part of Prison Fellowship's activities
with children at the centre?
(3) Was the
minister involved in the decision to allow access; and, if not, who authorised
the involvement?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
Member for Warnbro, I know that the Leader of the Opposition has FOI-ed some
information regarding my meetings with the former director of Prison Fellowship.
I think I met him twice, and I provided that information either to the Leader
of the Opposition or jointly to questions on notice that were provided in the
Legislative Council about two weeks ago. For members who do not know what this
issue is about, the former director of Prison Fellowship was recently jailed; I
believe he pleaded guilty to child pornographic offences. I met him twice in my
role as Minister for Corrective Services. I am sure anyone in my role would
have acknowledged a request for a meeting with someone like that. I would say
that the organisation Prison Fellowship does a lot of good work in the prison
system trying to reform prisoners. Did I know about what he was doing?
Obviously not—unfortunately, paedophiles do not come with a sign.
No-one knows. I would also say that anyone in that same situation, any member
of Parliament, would have accepted a request for a meeting with him.
As to the details of the member's
question, I cannot tell the member right now when he was granted approval to
enter Banksia Hill Detention Centre, or the date, but I am more than happy to
provide that information for the member.
Mr P. Papalia :
Were you involved?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS :
No, not at all. This is the first I have ever known he has been to Banksia
Hill, so I will find out for the member.
Member for Warnbro, I know that the Leader of the Opposition has FOI-ed some
information regarding my meetings with the former director of Prison Fellowship.
I think I met him twice, and I provided that information either to the Leader
of the Opposition or jointly to questions on notice that were provided in the
Legislative Council about two weeks ago. For members who do not know what this
issue is about, the former director of Prison Fellowship was recently jailed; I
believe he pleaded guilty to child pornographic offences. I met him twice in my
role as Minister for Corrective Services. I am sure anyone in my role would
have acknowledged a request for a meeting with someone like that. I would say
that the organisation Prison Fellowship does a lot of good work in the prison
system trying to reform prisoners. Did I know about what he was doing?
Obviously not—unfortunately, paedophiles do not come with a sign.
No-one knows. I would also say that anyone in that same situation, any member
of Parliament, would have accepted a request for a meeting with him.
As to the details of the member's
question, I cannot tell the member right now when he was granted approval to
enter Banksia Hill Detention Centre, or the date, but I am more than happy to
provide that information for the member.
Mr P. Papalia :
Were you involved?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS :
No, not at all. This is the first I have ever known he has been to Banksia
Hill, so I will find out for the member.
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