REPAY SA

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:59): Sir, I have a supplementary question. Will the minister advise the council how many offenders under Repay SA are in breach of the orders given by the courts to carry out these works, and the cumulative total number of hours they are in breach of regarding the number of hours that were awarded to them by the courts with respect to these programs?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:59): I do not have a sum total in front of me right now. Certainly, in South Australia we have the toughest community service program in Australia, with clear guidelines in place for compliance management. Therefore, the level of successful completion is lower than the national average, because orders are more stringently policed: it is as simple as that. It is quite logical. We have one of the best community service programs, particularly with respect to special initiatives for offenders with disabilities and vocational training needs.

The successful completion rate of community service has increased from 58 per cent to 65 per cent, which reflects our strong approach to managing these orders. The reality is that, in most other Australian jurisdictions, each breach is registered as an order completed. We do not do that in South Australia: we send them back. Clearly, we have a very tough regime.