Adelaide Remand Centre

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:59): My question is again to the Minister for Correctional Services. Why was SAPOL not alerted to this prisoner's escape until 25 minutes after the escape? With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr ODENWALDER: According to SAPOL at their press conference, the escape happened at 9.55 and they were not alerted to the fact until 10.20am.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (15:59): While that is an operational matter, what I will do is reiterate my comments to the house that I made a short time ago. I can advise the house that shortly after 10.30am 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. As I said, I reiterate what our priority is at the moment and that is to bring this person back into—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —custody—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Premier!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —but if I do have more details that are relevant and appropriate to bring back to the house at a later—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: If there are more relevant details—

The Hon. S.S. Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Premier is called to order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will resume his seat for a moment. Interjections on both sides of the house will cease. The Minister for Correctional Services has the call. He has been asked a question by the member for Elizabeth who is entitled, as are all members, to hear the answer and to hear the answer in silence.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I am happy to return to the house with more information at a later date, if it is appropriate.