Correctional Services, Veterans

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:58): Supplementary: given that, does the minister intend to work alongside the Department of Veterans' Affairs to find out the reasons, as I respectfully submit that you probably cannot deal with the number unless you understand the reasons why people would end up as part of that number?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:58): No, I do not have any intention to do that simply because it is not the role, as I see it, of the Department for Correctional Services to be able to deal with issues that might relate to stress factors that have led to veterans finding themselves in the criminal justice system, whether it be PTSD or otherwise. That is the responsibility of veterans-related organisations, as distinct from the Department for Correctional Services.

What is my expectation is that if there is any information that Corrections does collect, should collect, would be of assistance if it did collect at the point of admission to prison, or indeed throughout the course of a veteran's time in custody, then, of course, I think that the Department for Correctional Services should be taking that responsibility on board and facilitating an exchange of information if it is appropriate and beneficial to do so.