Page 1960 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 August 2007
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What is their policy? What are they going to do? Are they going to endorse a human rights approach? Are they going to endorse a healthy prison approach? What is going to be their philosophy?
The commissioner also makes a number of comments in relation to management practice at the correctional facilities. I was very pleased to see that first and foremost the commission identified the overwhelmingly good work, positive attitude and progressive approach being adopted by most corrections staff when it comes to the operations of the facility.
The commissioner also identified instances where practice was not as good as anyone would like to see it. I welcome the fact that she is prepared to highlight those comments. We will take those comments on board. But the fact is that corrections staff have a difficult job to do and it does not make their job any easier to be working in substandard facilities. It creates a confrontationist and charged atmosphere between remandees and sentenced prisoners and staff. We need to eliminate that atmosphere and create a healthy atmosphere for staff. (Time expired.)
Order to table documents
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts): Mr Speaker, during question time Mrs Burke said that she would be happy to table the evidence that she has of equipment shortages at the Canberra hospital.
Mrs Burke: I did not say that at all.
MR STANHOPE: Do I need to suspend standing orders to allow her to table that information?
Mrs Burke: I will not be tabling it, Chief Minister.
MR STANHOPE: Mrs Burke, you interjected that you were happy to table the evidence that you had that proved equipment shortages.
Mrs Burke: No.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR STANHOPE: I am happy to move a motion requiring the information to be tabled by close of business today.
Mrs Burke: Go for your life. It will not be tabled.
MR STANHOPE: If the Assembly demands it, it will be tabled, Mrs Burke.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Do you want to close off question time, Chief Minister?
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