Page 3508 - Week 08 - Thursday, 18 August 2011
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need a task force to evaluate them. Minister, you said earlier today that 40 recommendations were in progress. Could you please tell the Assembly which of the recommendations have now been completed and provide the Assembly with a list of the remaining recommendations that are underway?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Hunter for her question. We have put into play a number of those recommendations that, as I have alluded to, do not require a task force or should not be delayed in looking at. I mentioned this morning the matters around segregation, use of force and restraint. Those are one of the things that I have asked the department to look at. I am quite happy to go through, formalise and look at those that are in place. There was commentary in that about the after-hours bail service, which is one that is in place. The single case management system is effective from this week. That is the advice I have from the department. The diversion framework, which really outlines that forward-thinking picture about a number of aspects across youth justice, will be put into place. As far as a note by note, line by line recommendation, I can bring that back to you.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary?
MS HUNTER: Thank you. Minister, are there now operational teleconferencing facilities linking Bimberi with the Children’s Court and, if so, how often are these used?
MS BURCH: I do not believe they are operational. I know it has been raised before that it would be a useful notion to look at. I think that was through the Public Advocate’s report some time ago. I am supportive of it, but it is something we will continue to look at. I think there is a place for it, but clearly, also, the young residents deserve the right to present themselves in court should that be their desire. But it is something that we are looking at.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan, a supplementary?
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, are young people still strip searched as a matter of course when attending court hearings? Have you ensured that there will be an appropriate support person for any detainee that is subjected to a strip search?
MS BURCH: Certainly, strip searches have been raised. In the report, the human rights commissioner noted, with a level of concern, her view on strip searches. But certainly it is the policy that there is a support person. They are the same sex. There are two people involved in searches. There is one that is near the young person and there is one that in many ways supervises or observes that person. That is my understanding about how they are operating. I have no evidence to say that that is not the practice that is being followed.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
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