Question Time

Adelaide Remand Centre

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (15:33): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier explain why it has taken 15 months for a dangerous inmate to escape from the Adelaide Remand Centre, since he privatised it, when it appears there has been no other escape from this facility for the rest of this century?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (15:33): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I am happy to take this question. I would respectfully say that it's certainly not a time for politics on this subject because—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call. The minister will be heard in silence.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the member for West Torrens to order. The Minister for Correctional Services has the call.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I do think that it's not really a time to play politics on this issue. I can advise the house that shortly after 10.30 this morning my office was advised by the Department for Correctional Services that at approximately 9.55am a prisoner escaped from the Adelaide Remand Centre and fled the area on foot. I can confirm that a male remand prisoner breached the external wall of the Adelaide Remand Centre. SAPOL has been alerted and is on site, and SAPOL has established a forward command at the prison. DCS is also assisting SAPOL with operations. The prison is secure and all prisoners are accounted for. The crime scene has been secured—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —it's a very serious matter, sir—and a DCS investigator is also on site to coordinate assistance with SAPOL as the lead agency.

The escapee is Jason Burdon, date of birth 16 July 1987. I am informed that he was on remand for breach of bail and also firearm offences. At this time, the priority—and I think that you would agree, sir—is for SAPOL to apprehend this offender and place him back into custody. That is what the priority is, not playing petty political games. The priority has to be locating—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Correctional Services has the call.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Any escape from a secure facility is certainly a concern; it goes without saying. There is no question that the incident will certainly be subject to a comprehensive investigation, and I certainly await that report. However, what I will say is that anyone who has any information on Jason Burdon's whereabouts or possible sightings is advised not to approach him but to contact the police assistance line on 131 444, or in an emergency 000. As this is an operational police matter, I have to be cautious about any other comment I make on this matter.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the leader, I call to order the leader and I warn the member for West Torrens.