Page 1469 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 6 April 2011
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But the government does not believe it is appropriate for Mrs Dunne to use the Legislative Assembly to conduct her own inquiries and to undermine the public perception of the work that is being performed at Bimberi, to undermine the public perception of the efforts of hard-working staff at Bimberi who every day operate in complex and difficult circumstances and who, I have been informed, are finding the politicisation of the issues by certain members of this Assembly to be debilitating and demoralising. This motion again puts at risk the positive mood for change at Bimberi while this inquiry is taking place, and the government will not support it.
In conclusion, I would like to read out, for the benefit of the Assembly, a letter to the Canberra Times editor by the Official Visitor to Bimberi, Ms Narelle Hargreaves, that was published in the Canberra Times on 1 April. I would advise members to listen carefully. The title of the letter is “‘Fear does not rule’ at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre: Insider”. It states:
As the Official Visitor to Bimberi Youth Justice Centre I was unimpressed at reading the sensational and inaccurate heading to the article on the front page of The Canberra Times (March 29) that stated: “Fear Rules at Bimberi: Insider”.
My experiences in dealing with the youth justice issues for a number of years, in my role as the Official Visitor to both Quamby and the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, enables me to reassure the ACT community that fear does not rule at Bimberi.
I regularly visit … and speak with the staff and the young people. I am encouraged by the new procedures and practices the staff and management have in place, which are working effectively. When I visit the centre, I speak with every young person in residence. I find the young people to be forthright, respectful and open when speaking with me.
My reports on my visit to management are promptly and effectively handled to my satisfaction. As a former ACT Director of Schools, I am qualified to assess the educational provisions that are put in place by the dedicated teaching staff working with the young people, who display a wide cross-section of academic abilities and life experiences.
I am impressed with the current range of schooling provisions, led by the dedicated staff.
The current public and media discussion regarding the operation of the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre would appear to be a gross overreaction and an injustice by certain activists.
I have participated in the current review and the inquiry process by the ACT Children’s Commissioner and I feel very comfortable with the way the inquiry is being conducted.
It is regrettable that there have been inaccurate facts, sensational headlines and political opportunism in this matter, when the situation requires dedicated, informed decision-making on the part of all stakeholders in the community.
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