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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-24 Daily Xml
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PRISONERS, SECURITY

Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Why has the minister refused to do any media to explain to the public how a violent prisoner, who has escaped twice before, can be left unattended in an unlocked vehicle and in an unlocked area?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:53): Yet again the member for Kavel, the big guns, has got it wrong. He got it wrong dramatically.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I think to talk about this prisoner as having escaped twice from correctional services custody is not accurate. The advice I have received is that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The advice I have received is quite different, but I will talk about that in conclusion. But the important thing to remember here is that any escape from correctional services custody is unacceptable, and I agree absolutely. It is a disgrace. But the opposition is free to ask me questions—and we are now into 45 minutes of question time—and they ask me now. So the premise of the question—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left will be quiet.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: One minute they tell me to face away from the cameras, next to face the cameras, so I think—

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for Finniss. What's your point of order?

Mr PENGILLY: 128, ma'am.

The SPEAKER: No, I don't think that is a point of order at this stage; the minister is answering the question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The most important priority, Madam Speaker, is to capture this prisoner and return him to custody. I am advised that both the intelligence and investigation units of DCS and SAPOL are investigating the incident. G4S, the contractors who are responsible for escorting prisoners to the Parole Board hearing, is also undertaking its own investigation. It is interesting that G4S were championed by members opposite when they won the contract, when they outsourced—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —when they outsourced—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order, Minister for Transport.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Could I ask the member for Finniss, who seems to have a fascination with the standing orders, to acquaint himself with standing order 142; and maybe the rest of the opposition as well?

The SPEAKER: I think the look on the member's face accepted that. Minister, will you finish your answer?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. It is important to note that the privatisation of this transport of prisoners occurred when members opposite were in government. They were the ones—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They were the ones—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Finniss, behave! Point of order, member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is debating the answer and he is trying to blame the opposition for nine years of incompetence of his government. His government re-signed the contract and he's trying to blame us—

The SPEAKER: Order! You've made your point; sit down.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will return to the answer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, the incident is completely—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Member for MacKillop!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The incident, Madam Speaker, is completely unacceptable. I am seeking advice from the department about a process of any disciplinary action we can take against G4S—your great mates—and the enforcement of accountability measures. However, like I said before, the number one priority right now is dealing with the current situation, and we will deal with the consequences in due course. However, what I won't do is get hysterical like members opposite.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I won't get hysterical like the members opposite. This is a matter for the police. If members opposite were so outraged—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If members opposite were so outraged about private operators transporting our prisoners, then I would ask: why did you privatise it? Why did you sell it off—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: And the member for Davenport says, 'No, we didn't,' well, yes, you did!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Correctional Services, be quiet! Member for Chaffey.

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