Correctional Services

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:37): Supplementary to the minister for corrections: how many women are still confined to containers on the site at Northfield?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:38): I thank the member for Florey for her question. I acknowledge the deep interest she has in our system, and that's why I thought it was very important that the member for Florey be invited to the opening of the recent upgrade.

As she points out, and whilst I don't necessarily agree with the characterisation, what I would say is that beforehand not only could women smoke in some of these cells but they were dark and they were dormitory style. Some of them, for example, had four bunk-style beds. Some of them had hardly any light. Some of these living conditions, as I said, were some of the worst in the country, but I am proud to say that as part of our government's investment in our Better Prisons Program we have invested quite substantial amounts in our new accommodation units—Pearl, Rose, Coral and Ruby—so now they have some of the best facilities in the country, and the residents were certainly quick to agree as well.

In terms of a breakdown of ladies who are in these separate sections the member is referring to, whilst I haven't got that level of detail I am happy to take that on notice and provide it to the member. But once again I do thank her for her keen interest in the area. It's not uncommon for the member for Florey to put a call in to me, and I am happy to take that because I know her heart is—

Ms Bedford interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes—I know her heart is in the right place when it comes to this and I know that she is very passionate about improving our system.

The SPEAKER: We do acknowledge the member for Florey's consistent and important interest in this area.