CAVAN TRAINING CENTRE

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (14:33): My question is for the Premier. Given the budget constraints on the new Cavan facility, highlighted by minister Hunter in response to Auditor-General's questioning last year, will the Premier now ensure that security at the new facility will be better than the existing centre? The Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion told parliament on 10 November 2011 in relation to building cost blowouts of the new Cavan facility, and I quote:

The budget will stay the same and we will try to bring the project in on budget. That might mean looking at quotes and pushing them a little harder. There is always the potential for reviewing the scope of works and perhaps going for a different style of fencing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Premier, there will be order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:33): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Of course, there are always imperatives about making sure that projects come in on budget, but nothing will be done that sacrifices the secure integrity of the new facility. We won't permit that to happen. Can I say that the question rather presumes that the cause of the escapes was some defect in the nature of the physical security arrangements. There are a range of explanations for the escape, and that is what will be investigated.

We need to understand the nature of the escape and the reasons for it before we can reach any conclusions about whether it was the nature of the facility that was to blame. In saying that, I don't seek to, in any way, point the finger at any of the staff who work at the facility. There are a range of hardworking staff who do their best to deal with some of the very difficult young people they have to care for.