❓ Question regarding the Minister for Corrective Services' handling of information related to an injury sustained by Bradley Robert Edwards while in custody, specifically concerning conflicting statements about an alleged attack.
AnsweredQoN 55Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BRADLEY ROBERT EDWARDS —
MINISTER'S COMMENTS
55. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Corrective
Services:
Before I ask my question I would
like to acknowledge principal Greg Fisher, deputy principals Suzanne Clanton
and Nicole Tolev, and the student leadership team from Doubleview Primary
School from the member for Scarborough's electorate, who are in the
public gallery this afternoon.
I refer to the front page of today's The West Australian , which states —
Corrective Services Minister Fran
Logan added to the confusion by claiming Mr Edwards had been attacked by
another prisoner, only to retract his statement hours later.
(1) Given the
magnitude of this case, does the minister understand the critical importance of
making sure that all aspects of this matter are managed professionally?
(2) Will the
minister outline to the house exactly how Mr Edwards will be protected so that
this case progresses without further incident?
MINISTER'S COMMENTS
55. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Corrective
Services:
Before I ask my question I would
like to acknowledge principal Greg Fisher, deputy principals Suzanne Clanton
and Nicole Tolev, and the student leadership team from Doubleview Primary
School from the member for Scarborough's electorate, who are in the
public gallery this afternoon.
I refer to the front page of today's The West Australian , which states —
Corrective Services Minister Fran
Logan added to the confusion by claiming Mr Edwards had been attacked by
another prisoner, only to retract his statement hours later.
(1) Given the
magnitude of this case, does the minister understand the critical importance of
making sure that all aspects of this matter are managed professionally?
(2) Will the
minister outline to the house exactly how Mr Edwards will be protected so that
this case progresses without further incident?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Dawesville
for his question. I, too, acknowledge the students from Emmanuel Catholic
College in my electorate, who are in the gallery today. I hope they enjoy their
visit to Parliament House.
(1)–(2) In
respect to the question put by the member for Dawesville, I inform the member
and the house that a further question has been put forward today by Hon Peter
Collier. I will read to the house the exact answer I will give to Mr Collier
today, because it goes to the very heart of what the member for Dawesville has
asked in his question.
Mr
Collier has asked whether I received advice from the Department of Justice,
from whom, and at what time.
There are two answers that question.
The first is —
Yes. Advice was provided by the
Commissioner of Corrective Services by a telephone call on the 18 February
2019 between approximately 11:21 am and 11:24 am.
The second part of the answer is —
The following supplementary
information is the basis of this advice.
The supplementary information that
will be provided to Mr Collier states —
� During the course of that telephone call, the Minister was
advised that:
This is coming from the department —
� Mr Edwards was found on the floor of the shower block at
approximately 7:55 am, 20 minutes after the prisoners in the secure unit were
released from their cells;
� A pencil was found nearby to Mr Edwards with what appeared to
be blood on the sharpened end.
� Mr Edwards had blood coming from his ear and immediate medical
attention was sought;
� Mr Edwards refused to say how he acquired his injury;
� It appeared to prison staff that Mr Edwards may have been
assaulted but this has not been confirmed and enquiries are ongoing to
establish what took place;
� The matter was referred to the WA Police for their
investigation and determination as to how Mr Edwards acquired his injury.
After going outside cabinet I basically
repeated that exact advice that I had been given to the ABC and Channel 7, but
to provide further context for that advice, and after further discussions, I then
issued the statement later in the day.
for his question. I, too, acknowledge the students from Emmanuel Catholic
College in my electorate, who are in the gallery today. I hope they enjoy their
visit to Parliament House.
(1)–(2) In
respect to the question put by the member for Dawesville, I inform the member
and the house that a further question has been put forward today by Hon Peter
Collier. I will read to the house the exact answer I will give to Mr Collier
today, because it goes to the very heart of what the member for Dawesville has
asked in his question.
Mr
Collier has asked whether I received advice from the Department of Justice,
from whom, and at what time.
There are two answers that question.
The first is —
Yes. Advice was provided by the
Commissioner of Corrective Services by a telephone call on the 18 February
2019 between approximately 11:21 am and 11:24 am.
The second part of the answer is —
The following supplementary
information is the basis of this advice.
The supplementary information that
will be provided to Mr Collier states —
� During the course of that telephone call, the Minister was
advised that:
This is coming from the department —
� Mr Edwards was found on the floor of the shower block at
approximately 7:55 am, 20 minutes after the prisoners in the secure unit were
released from their cells;
� A pencil was found nearby to Mr Edwards with what appeared to
be blood on the sharpened end.
� Mr Edwards had blood coming from his ear and immediate medical
attention was sought;
� Mr Edwards refused to say how he acquired his injury;
� It appeared to prison staff that Mr Edwards may have been
assaulted but this has not been confirmed and enquiries are ongoing to
establish what took place;
� The matter was referred to the WA Police for their
investigation and determination as to how Mr Edwards acquired his injury.
After going outside cabinet I basically
repeated that exact advice that I had been given to the ABC and Channel 7, but
to provide further context for that advice, and after further discussions, I then
issued the statement later in the day.
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