Page 1467 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 6 April 2011
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information as part of the Bimberi inquiry. The proposed amendment also acknowledges the inquiry is the appropriate body to consider any allegations.
There are a number of reasons why we will not be supporting Mrs Dunne’s motion as it is presented. Firstly, the government has always been transparent about policies and procedures in place at Bimberi. The documents that Mrs Dunne is seeking, the youth detention policies and procedures, are already available publicly, as notifiable instruments on the legislation register. They have been there since they took effect on 9 September 2008.
These policies were in place for the commencement of the new Children and Young People Act 2008, which took effect on 9 September 2008. They took effect at Quamby and applied to Bimberi from the date Bimberi commenced operations on 23 December 2008. The policies and procedures at Bimberi have been provided to the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the human rights commissioner as part of the inquiry, and we will be cooperating with the inquiry in any further requests for documentation.
The Bimberi review team has been provided with a copy of all the 21 notified policies and procedures under sections 143 and 144. There are 21 notifiable policies and procedures under section 143 of the Children and Young People Act 2008 relating to the operation of Bimberi. These policies and procedures commenced on 9 September 2008 and, with the exception of the escorts policy, which commenced on 20 February 2009, there have been no amendments to policies and procedures since their commencement and, as I understand it, the policies and procedures have certainly been developed for the needs of Bimberi.
In preparation for the opening of Bimberi in 2008, two successive induction programs were conducted for new staff, on 10 June 2008 and 8 August 2008. Existing Quamby staff were included in the training conducted on the new Children and Young People Act 2008 and the new policies and procedures for the centre as part of the induction program. Successive induction programs have been conducted since the opening of Bimberi. All new youth detention officers and team leaders receive training in the policies and procedures as part of their induction training. Induction training is compulsory for all new operational staff, including youth detention officers, team leaders and unit managers.
I advised the Assembly only last week of the multitude of initiatives that are underway at Bimberi and the comprehensive change management strategy that has been underway since late last year. I am also advised that copies of the youth detention policies and operating procedures have been reissued to all operational staff and they have been asked to sign off that they have received them.
In addition to permanent staff, Bimberi engages casual staff to undertake youth detention officer roles. Casual staff are engaged through a contract with Drake Australia. All casual youth detention officers are required to undertake the same induction training as permanent staff. They also receive training in and a copy of the act and all policies and procedures. In relation to MSS Security staff, personnel from MSS are provided with their own specific orientation and training program prior to commencing duties at Bimberi.
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