Question Time

Morrison, Mr W.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:20): My questions are to the Minister for Correctional Services on the subject of the death in custody of Mr Wayne Morrison on 26 September 2016.

1. When will the internal departmental review be completed?

2. Has the CCTV—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: It would be nice, Mr President, if questions could be asked without interruptions.

The PRESIDENT: It would also be nice to allow the ministers to answer without interruption. The Hon. Ms Lensink, you should proceed with members respecting your right to ask questions.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I am just looking at the minister to see whether he got the first question, because I will start at the second one. Did you get the first question?

The Hon. P. Malinauskas: No, start again, if you like.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: My questions are to the Minister for Correctional Services on the subject of the death in custody of Mr Wayne Morrison on 26 September 2016. The first question is:

1. When will the internal departmental review be completed?

2. Has the CCTV footage from the vehicle used to transport Mr Morrison been included as part of the review?

3. Have any staff been suspended while the investigation takes place?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:21): The death of Mr Morrison in custody, like any death in custody, is a tragedy. However, like any other death in custody, Mr Morrison's passing does automatically initiate a Coroner's inquiry. SAPOL, Major Crime, I am advised, remain actively investigating the incident, so Major Crime is conducting an investigation of the incident and there will be a coronial inquiry in due course.

My advice is that the Department for Correctional Services is cooperating fully with both SAPOL, Major Crime, and the subsequent coronial inquiry. An internal investigation remains underway, I am advised, and the outcome of that will be known in due course. But the principal inquiry that is being undertaken, of course, is the one being conducted by SAPOL, Major Crime.

We expect the coronial inquiry to commence once Major Crime has conducted their inquiry. Presumably, all CCTV footage that is relevant to the matter has been obtained by SAPOL, Major Crime, to assist them in the conduct of their inquiry. Regarding whether or not officers involved have been suspended, I am happy to take that question on notice and get that information back to the honourable member as soon as possible.