Parliamentary Committees

Public Works Committee: Port Lincoln, Adelaide Women's, Mount Gambier Prison Expansions

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (11:55): I move:

That the 506^th report of the committee, entitled Proposal to Expand Three Prisons: Port Lincoln Prison, Adelaide Women's Prison and Mount Gambier Prison, be noted.

The committee heard from officers from the Department for Correctional Services on Thursday 9 October regarding a project that can immediately increase the capacity of the state's prison system and help address the recent unprecedented rise in prison numbers. The project will see the construction of additional accommodation to cater for an extra 76 beds to the system where—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I can't hear what she is saying, and I hope that is what you are about to say.

Mr PENGILLY: No, it is not that. It is just that the member has been speaking for over a minute and the clock has not been reset.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Finniss.

Ms DIGANCE: Thank you. Would you like me to continue from where I am?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well, nobody heard you, so you may as well start from the beginning.

Ms DIGANCE: Did you hear?

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

Ms DIGANCE: Deputy Chair, with your direction.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay.

Ms DIGANCE: The project will see the construction of additional accommodation to cater for an extra 76 beds to the system, with 32 low-security beds being established in Port Lincoln Prison, 20 medium to low-security beds in the Adelaide Women's Prison and 24 medium to low-security beds at the Mount Gambier Prison. In addition to the extra capacity, it will also see the construction of some important support facilities, such as an industry shed at the Port Lincoln Prison for the manufacture of items required by the local oyster and fishing industries and a community centre for prisoners to attend rehabilitation and education programs at the Adelaide Women's Prison.

In order to bring these new facilities online as soon as possible, demountable or relocatable accommodation will be constructed. As well as ensuring fast establishment, this form of construction will minimise the impact on surrounding residents and minimise the length of disruption to the current prison facilities. This is particularly important given that the work at both the Mount Gambier Prison and Adelaide Women's Prison will occur within the secure perimeter fence.

The total cost of the works is estimated to be $8.7 million (GST exclusive). The Port Lincoln Prison and Mount Gambier Prison projects are due to be completed and commissioned by the end of this year, while the Adelaide Women's Prison will be commissioned in March 2015. This will take the total capacity in South Australian prisons to 2,604 beds by the end of 2014-15. With the other projects already underway, which the Public Works Committee has previously considered and recommended to the house, the state's prison capacity will reach 2,714 beds by the end of the 2015-16 financial year. Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to the parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (11:58): I was pleased to attend the Public Works Committee hearings in this last week. This report highlights the shameful incompetence of the Labor Party in government over 12 years. It has completely failed to plan for the long term in dealing with our prison capacity. In terms of their shameful lack of ability to manage their own affairs—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Does the member wish to seek leave to continue his remarks or shall we move on motion?

Mr GARDNER: —and I seek leave to continue my remarks.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are seeking leave to continue your remarks?

Mr GARDNER: Yes, ma'am.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.