Correctional Services, Forensic Patients

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:28): I wonder if the minister could either provide an answer or take on notice my other two questions. I thank him for the answer that he has given to one of the questions. How long have each of these patients been held in DCS custody and when does the minister expect to be able to provide responses to the 4 August questions?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:29): Sorry, I neglected to get to the second two questions. In regard to the questions that I have taken on notice, I will engage my office and establish where those responses are at and try to expedite them. My office always endeavours to get responses back as quickly as is practicable.

Regarding your question about how long those specific 10 people have been within the custody of DCS, I will have to take that on notice. What I would say is that it is important to remember that that number fluctuates. While that is the number as of 9 February this year, that is obviously almost two months ago and so the number of people released may have fluctuated since then. It might be better if I seek to garner information as to what the average length of stay is for a person who is a forensic patient under the custody of DCS.