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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-09-05 Daily Xml
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Adelaide Remand Centre

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:26): Supplementary: did the minister consult with the PSA before making the decision to privatise the Adelaide Remand Centre?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:26): I thank the member for the question. I think the Premier outlined very early that the Treasurer made it clear when we went to the election. We discussed what we would and wouldn't do when it comes to outsourcing.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: All we asked for was a level playing field, the same as those opposite. It brings me to a little point, and I am keen that the member asked this because—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: this is debate. The question was very clear: did he consult with the PSA?

The SPEAKER: I have a point of order. I have written down the question. I will listen carefully. Minister, please address the substance of the question. I am sure you were coming to it. I will allow some preamble, but I will be listening carefully. The minister has the call.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you very much, and again I thank the member—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for the question. I am glad he is asking serious questions, as opposed to what the member for West Torrens is talking about.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I have made it very clear that the Treasurer made it clear before the election as far as outsourcing our government resources. We just want the same playing field as those opposite. I have mentioned that we are investing in the public prison at Yatala and the Women's Prison. We are putting in $200 million. I can't stress that enough. We are putting beds into the public system, which will ensure the jobs of the people at the Adelaide Remand Centre. When you look back over what the previous government did, as far as increasing beds—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: No, sit down.

The SPEAKER: Point of order. Minister, please be seated. The minister will be seated for one moment please. The point of order?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: Debate. I have the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir, he is not answering the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: Minister, the question was about whether there was consultation before making a particular decision. I do believe that the minister is coming to that. He is providing what I consider to be some relevant background information. Minister, please come back to the substance of the question—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you very much and I do keep getting interjected, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: —and he will be heard in silence. I will not be taking points of order by members on my left when, quite frankly, they are interjecting during the minister's answer.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I have just got past a minute into my four minutes. If I can take my time to give the answer, that would be greatly appreciated. I stress the point again, after the interjection, that the Treasurer made it abundantly clear how we would be going about our operations in the lead-up to the budget. I talk about putting money and investment, which this government is doing, into the public system. When we look at what the previous government did, their investment was in the private system. They are asking questions about investing in a private over public operation. We are investing in the public operation.

The previous government invested in Mount Gambier to the tune of 400-odd beds. I am not sure whether they negotiated with the PSA on that one, but we are delivering what the people of South Australia need. The Treasurer made it abundantly clear what our position would be before the election and it is the same playing field as they had and we are delivering what the people of South Australia need. We are fixing their mess.

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