Prison Administration

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (14:48): Supplementary: is the use of the Sturt Police Station a new development?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:48): I am aware that negotiations were underway between the Department for Correctional Services and SAPOL regarding the use of police cells at the Sturt Police Station. I am happy to seek an update on where those are at, but again, using police cells for surge bedding is something that has been happening for some time and that has been well documented and well noted.

At the moment, of course, we are in the process of upgrading a number of police cells. That received some media attention more recently. This is something that is part of the regular upgrades to police accommodation, but again, the use of police cells for surge bedding accommodation by the Department for Correctional Services has been well known for some time.