Transgender Women in SA Prisons

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Are any transgender women currently being held in female prisons, and is the government considering reviewing its position on this issue? With your leave and that of the house, sir, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BATTY:The Advertiser reports today that the state government is under growing pressure to ban transgender women from female prisons after revelations that a prisoner was allegedly attacked at a Port Augusta jail.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE (King—Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:34): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my right will come to order so we can hear the minister.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE: I thank the member for his question, as well. In terms of the case the member has referenced, that was an assault that occurred in 2019 that, at the time, was investigated by SAPOL and no charges were laid. Whilst I cannot go into the specifics, I will advise that the Department for Correctional Services takes any allegations of assault extremely seriously. It is something that is thoroughly investigated—often by SA Police as well, as has happened in this case.

In regard to the policy being referred to, it is a longstanding policy, and I understand that this particular policy was reviewed and updated in 2018 under the previous Marshall Liberal government as well. Of course, these policies are guided and bound by what is set in place by the Equal Opportunity Act.