Mobilong Prison

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:35): I have a supplementary question based on the minister's answer. Can the minister assure the house, given that there has been a significant increase in prisoner numbers over the last 12 months, that there has been a relevant ratio of increase in correctional staff, as in Correctional Services officers; and, accordingly, can the minister advise what increased number of Correctional Services officers have been employed by the department in the last 12 months?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:36): The Hon. Mr Brokenshire is right to point to the fact that in South Australia we have had an increase in prison population—there is no secret about that; that very much speaks to this government's agenda of keeping the South Australian community safe. That means where people do the wrong thing they are punished accordingly. My advice is that the department well and truly keeps at the forefront of its mind appropriate safety arrangements for all concerned when contemplating staffing numbers. I am confident that the department has the matter in hand.

Of course, the industrial dispute that initiated this question from the Hon. Mr Wade, has its origins in the fact that there is an expansion at the Mobilong Prison where more beds are being put online to accommodate the rising prison population. That is all about making sure that we have the appropriate number of beds in the system to be able to deal with the matters at hand. I am confident that this dispute will be resolved quickly. I very much hope that it is resolved quickly and that everyone can get back to doing their job.