Question Time

GRIFFITHS, DREW CLAUDE

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. How many times does the notorious criminal, Drew Claude Griffiths, have to attempt to escape before the minister realises that special measures may be necessary whenever that man is being transported or dealt with, given that the said Drew Claude Griffiths has today made yet another escape whilst at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, in the process threatening a guard—indeed, some reports say stabbing a guard in the chest—and attempting a carjack before being recaptured?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order: can I just point out that if the Leader of the Opposition wishes to explain a question she needs to seek leave. She just gave a lengthy explanation to the question without seeking leave.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I'm sorry, we do have standing orders—we do.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Yes, I'll uphold that. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:09): Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is interesting that yesterday the opposition were briefing journalists that they had the biggest story of the century, and today, first question, not one question.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Now, Madam Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, rather than get up and commend the actions of what I think are South Australia's bravest public servants—a correctional officer was stabbed in the chest today; his throat viciously attacked. Rather than stop and deal with his injuries, he chased that criminal down and brought him back to justice. That, I think, is the greatest example of South Australia's public servants—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —doing their job for the people of this state. Now, Madam Speaker, I commend those officers—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

An honourable member: It was your fault!

The SPEAKER: Order! Stop yelling across the chamber.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I commend the actions of Corrections. The emergency response group were the ones who were guarding this prisoner. They were the ones who responded and brought this person back to custody quickly. Now, I am not going to stand here and let the Leader of the Opposition—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Norwood.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and other members degrade the bravery of those officers who went out, risked their lives, sustained serious injuries and brought this person back to justice. However, I am still awaiting a full brief on the issue, and there are some details which I can inform the house. As the house is aware, there was an incident involving a prisoner, Drew Claude Griffiths, at the RAH this morning. While under supervision of the emergency response group, the prisoner escaped from his hospital bed while a leg shackle was being repositioned—

An honourable member: Are you reading?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You are such a coward.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He forced his way out of the room with officers in pursuit. And I will say this: the officer who was stabbed and still led the pursuit is, I think, one of South Australia's bravest officers. The emergency response group personnel—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Because in the question of the Leader of the Opposition, she stated, and I am paraphrasing, 'Didn't this prisoner need extra security?' The emergency response group are our best. They are our best officers, and the Leader of the Opposition laughs at their bravery. She laughs at their bravery!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You've never put your life at risk once—not once—and you get up and you criticise officers. How dare you? How dare you?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for MacKillop!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I can only imagine—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. Foley: Shame on you, Isobel!

The SPEAKER: Order! This is not a funny matter. This a very serious matter and we should listen to what the minister says in silence. As I said, somebody will go out today if you're not careful. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, the emergency response group are our best. I don't think for a second that their bravery can be questioned, and I think—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I think the imputation in her question that more could have been done is outrageous. However, as he attempted to take possession of the vehicle from an innocent member of the public, he was restrained and returned, of course, to the hospital ward. He was then transferred to maximum security (G Division) at Yatala. An investigation is currently underway.

This government applauds the actions of officers. This government stands by the bravery of those officers, and I stand by the officers who put their lives at risk, and I won't hide behind parliamentary privilege.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!