Page 196 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 December 2016
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perhaps—but that he is doing all he can so that such security breaches should fully be avoided, that there are more reviews on the way and that he is taking it all very seriously. However, what Mr Rattenbury—in fact, all of us—must remember is that we are here to address the issues that are arising in our prison. After eight years of operation and numerous reports, surely there has to be some responsibility taken by him and the government for the failings. The place is not completely functioning properly; it is neither rehabilitating people nor keeping them properly safe. We should see a full list of what can be done and what has been done and what has not been done.
Mr Rattenbury has a history of picking and choosing recommendations—as I suppose every government minister does—of reviews addressing issues within the jail that support his world view. I know he was working very hard on a needle and syringe program, but then we saw people escaping out over the fences. So—can I just ask that the minister stop laughing at me? I actually find it offensive, to be honest.
Mr Rattenbury: Fair crack.
MRS JONES: Fair crack? What is funny about what I am saying? What is hilarious about it?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Steel): The minister will refrain from making any comments or sounds.
MRS JONES: Thank you. In April last year the Auditor-General finalised the report into rehabilitation of male detainees at the AMC and Minister Rattenbury stated that while these concerns are real and need attention, the government has reservations about the Auditor-General’s report. It seems the minister is sending mixed messages on what should be addressed within the AMC. During the last Assembly when Mr Wall called on the government to develop a new strategy to deter and defect contraband entering the AMC Mr Rattenbury was not supportive of it.
I again remind the minister that after two inmates escaped in September this year you agreed there was a need to get to the bottom of the security issue, and I am hoping that we are. I am calling on this new Assembly to recognise that there are very real needs to get safety and security right and to deal with capacity, industry and education issues in this facility for the safety of those incarcerated, for their futures and for the community at large. I commend this motion to the Assembly.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Corrections and Minister for Mental Health) (5.37): I am happy to support the intent of Mrs Jones’s motion today despite the content and range of her speech. I am happy to bring these issues to the attention of the Assembly and have a serious discussion about them in this place. I have circulated an amendment to the motion which I believe represents a more contemporary understanding of the current situation at the AMC and a practical approach to achieving Mrs Jones’s objective, which is to ensure that the Assembly and the ACT public remain informed about changes that are underway at the AMC.
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