Youth Justice System

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Youth. How many times were spit restraints used on youth detainees during 2015-16, following the 31 occasions during 2014-15?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:59): I thank the deputy leader for her interest in this area. Like many people, I was incredibly shocked when we saw the footage of young people incarcerated in the Northern Territory and their treatment. Can I reassure people here in South Australia that the way we work in youth justice is incredibly different. When we opened the new Goldsborough campus of the Adelaide Youth Training Centre, we operated it as an open campus. The focus is on education, rehabilitation and vocational training.

We consider that the use of restraint is a use of force and, under legislation, any use of this force must be deemed reasonably necessary and justified. I am assured that restraint is never used as a punishment or to be disciplinary. It is about managing risk and safety. It was made clear yesterday, when you asked this question, that the spit masks, which are very different and very rarely used, were used 31 times in 2014-15. That is the information I have today.

Ms Sanderson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide is warned.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I can reassure people here that we don't use tear gas and we don't use dogs. This is a supportive environment. We need to protect our youth workers who work with the residents. Our focus is on rehabilitation to prevent reoffending and for people to get on with their lives.