Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:04): Supplementary question: is the implementation or reintroduction of legislation contingent on funding from the federal government?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for her supplementary question. We can't bring into force operational issues that are not funded. I think that's the almost unanimous position of other states, that there is funding required from the federal government before states can operationalise what is required under OPCAT.

Certainly, there is a body of work that the commonwealth is leading to have a look at the existing measures that various states have in terms of visiting schemes and how far they go to satisfy the OPCAT protocols, but it would be disingenuous to introduce and pass legislation without having the necessary funding that the states and territories are awaiting from the commonwealth.