Page 203 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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The department has commenced the hard work to support the staff at Bimberi. I note that Mrs Dunne feels that this inquiry is all about the children. It is not; it is about the centre as a whole. The residents there are a priority, as are the staff that work with them. The improvements that we have already put in place—I accept there is more to do and that is why I am looking forward to the inquiry under Mr Roy and the recommendations that he should bring forward—have resulted in a noted positive change at the centre.
The review by the Children and Young People Commissioner will provide additional information that will drive further improvements at Bimberi. Just to note the improvements, as I have said earlier today, we have had five staff that have either reapplied or inquired about positions at the centre now because they see the changes to the work environment and want to be part of the new Bimberi.
Community partners, including the CPSU and statutory office holders, including the Public Advocate, have also noted some positive change. But the opposition failed to understand that there are two independent review processes underway at Bimberi. Before the current inquiry was called a further project was announced at Bimberi—supporting systems for the rehabilitation for young people, conducted by Mr Daniel O’Neil—to improve the rehabilitation outcomes for young residents and to ensure that staff at the centre are supported, safe and confident in their work environment.
The combination of the human rights Bimberi review and the targeted project by Mr O’Neil will provide the department with a comprehensive assessment of changes to be made and recommendations for further action. The change process goes beyond the immediate scope of the Bimberi youth detention centre. That is why, Mr Speaker, just yesterday I tabled a diversion paper that we have been working on for some time in response to some statistics that show that too many of our young folk are within our youth justice system. The Children and Young People Commissioner was consulted in the development of that discussion paper.
Prior to the beginning of the inquiry I consulted with Mr Roy and he was comfortable for the department to release the paper during the inquiry. The commissioner has indicated that he will make use of the information provided in the discussion paper. Over the coming weeks the department will conduct community consultative processes and forums on the discussion paper and the commissioner is able to contribute to the consultation questions as part of the consultative process. Findings from the consultation process will be made available to the commissioner for his consideration as part of the inquiry. Indeed, at the beginning of the paper it clearly states that consultation arrangements state that submissions and comments will be publicly available unless otherwise requested.
The government is committed to evaluating our practices and the effectiveness of our systems and we will learn from the evaluation the Human Rights Commission has been tasked to deliver. The commissioner has our confidence. Mrs Dunne should know that I have been approached by community members who have been appalled by her behaviour, who say that her actions could undermine the review. I do not think that is of benefit to anyone. As Ms Hunter has noted, X has made it clear that she
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