Prisoner Rehabilitation

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): Supplementary question: I thank the minister for his answer, but does the minister know how many prisoners have been refused bail by the Parole Board simply because they have not completed the mandatory rehabilitation program? I might just add on the back of it, given he's given a commitment to bring back some details of the funding—he thinks $9.2 million—

The Hon. P. Malinauskas: $9.9 million.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: —$9.9 million—how much of that is addressed to the actual mandatory rehabilitation program as required by part of their sentence before they go to the Parole Board?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:26): Naturally, I don't have those two specific numbers at hand. I'm more than happy to get that information. I will also confirm that $9.9 million. In fact, I would expect to do that before the end of question time. It speaks to a very serious and genuine commitment around this important policy area.

I've got to say, to the extent as a parliament in a bipartisan way we can confirm our commitment to reducing reoffending, that would be a good thing, because this is a difficult policy area. It isn't a natural vote winner. It is a difficult area politically. But to the extent that the opposition is serious about supporting the government in its endeavours and efforts to reduce the rate of reoffending, we will have achieved a genuinely good public policy outcome for the South Australian community.