❓ Ms. Mettam questions the Premier regarding the Inspector of Custodial Services report on Banksia Hill and the former Premier's comments. The Premier deflects, highlighting the new minister's role and the government's commitment to addressing issues at the detention centre.
AnsweredQoN 353Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BANKSIA HILL DETENTION
CENTRE — INSPECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES REPORT
353. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to the latest report by the
Inspector of Custodial Services into Banksia Hill Detention Centre that found
that every element of Banksia Hill was
failing and that the centre is in acute crisis, with all factors ignored by the
former Premier who described the actions
of detainees as a form of terrorism and used foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
as an excuse. Does the Premier stand by his comments that the former
Premier's approach was absolutely spot-on?
CENTRE — INSPECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES REPORT
353. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to the latest report by the
Inspector of Custodial Services into Banksia Hill Detention Centre that found
that every element of Banksia Hill was
failing and that the centre is in acute crisis, with all factors ignored by the
former Premier who described the actions
of detainees as a form of terrorism and used foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
as an excuse. Does the Premier stand by his comments that the former
Premier's approach was absolutely spot-on?
AnswerView source ↗
Of course, the Inspector of
Custodial Services never made any observation about the former Premier's
comments on Banksia Hill, so it is disingenuous to try to conflate the two. I observe
that the newly minted minister is sitting just there.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : If the member
for Vasse were truly interested in finding out what this government was doing,
she would probably go to the source, but I am very happy to answer the question
on behalf of the Minister for Corrective Services. Obviously, there are some
issues at Banksia Hill that need to be resolved, and that is why we have made
it a priority. The first thing that we have to do is ensure the safety of
everyone in that facility—the kids in
detention, the staff who are there to look after them, and those responsible.
That will be the priority of the Minister for Corrective Services in the
first instance. There are reports of damage to infrastructure, and we will need
to look at what to do about that. We will continue to take briefings and we very
much look forward to making further comments and announcements on Banksia Hill
in the coming weeks.
Custodial Services never made any observation about the former Premier's
comments on Banksia Hill, so it is disingenuous to try to conflate the two. I observe
that the newly minted minister is sitting just there.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : If the member
for Vasse were truly interested in finding out what this government was doing,
she would probably go to the source, but I am very happy to answer the question
on behalf of the Minister for Corrective Services. Obviously, there are some
issues at Banksia Hill that need to be resolved, and that is why we have made
it a priority. The first thing that we have to do is ensure the safety of
everyone in that facility—the kids in
detention, the staff who are there to look after them, and those responsible.
That will be the priority of the Minister for Corrective Services in the
first instance. There are reports of damage to infrastructure, and we will need
to look at what to do about that. We will continue to take briefings and we very
much look forward to making further comments and announcements on Banksia Hill
in the coming weeks.
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