Page 5415 - Week 14 - Thursday, 30 November 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MADAM SPEAKER: The minister has some time left to go straight to the point. But he has talked about consultation, which, I believe, will be part of that discussion and thinking.
MR RAMSAY: Indeed. This government acts on the basis of good consultation across the justice system. We have already heard a number of views that have been expressed in relation to this particular matter and we will continue to consult broadly on this, as I indicated earlier this week in question time.
MR HANSON: As a flagrant preamble, I also would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Victims of Crime Commissioner and acknowledge the work he has done in the ACT.
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not think you will be ruled out of order, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: You are very kind, Madam Speaker. Attorney, will you now introduce a presumption in law that an original sentence will be activated in the case of a breach, especially if it is for a similar crime?
MR RAMSAY: Given that that is going to the same point as the previous question, my answer, surprisingly enough, is the same.
MRS JONES: Attorney, will you commit to a full review of sentencing in the ACT and include all stakeholders, including the opposition?
MR RAMSAY: Madam Speaker, we love to hear from the opposition.
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre—health assessments
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for Corrections. Section 160 of the Children and Young People Act requires that young people admitted to Bimberi must be assessed for immediate physical or mental health needs or risks as soon as possible and never more than 24 hours after admission. Yet mental health, justice health and alcohol and drug services have reported that in 2016-17, two Bimberi detainees were not given initial health assessments in the required time frame. In response, an ACT Health spokeswoman said that a new procedure has now been developed “to establish clear lines of communication”. Minister, why were these detainees not assessed in the required time frame?
MR RATTENBURY: As has been reported, and I think it was discussed in the annual reports hearings, there was an oversight in this case; there was a degree of human error involved. That is why ACT Health has taken additional steps to ensure that there is not a repeat of this incident. I agree with the premise of Mrs Kikkert’s question that this should not have occurred. It is clearly not the standard that we expect to be operating; there has been an oversight in this matter and I expect that it will not happen again.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video