Page 4749 - Week 13 - Thursday, 28 November 2019
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Why aren’t female prisoners, particularly Indigenous prisoners, receiving the same level of support as male prisoners?
MR RATTENBURY: I do not share the characterisation that the Canberra Times has provided; nonetheless members are aware that, of course, we have just received a report from the independent Inspector of Correctional Services, which has identified a range of issues that need to be addressed at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. That is exactly why we set up the Inspector of Correctional Services. It was to have a proactive, independent agency to help us ensure that we have continuous improvement in the AMC.
I have been given a range of information and views on the status of women and the services provided to them at the AMC. I am not currently satisfied with the status of services for women at the AMC, and we are undertaking a series of plans to improve that situation for our female detainees, to ensure that both they have a decent stay in custody and they are given the most opportunity to use their time in custody to reset their life trajectory, get some skills that they can use on the outside and have as much rehabilitation as possible while they are in custody.
It is challenging, because roughly 50 per cent of the women in the AMC are on remand. That does create some uncertainty about their time spent in custody. But, clearly, we have work to do to improve the situation of the females at the jail.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, why don’t female prisoners have the same access to training or work opportunities as male prisoners?
MR RATTENBURY: I have been assured at various times that they do.
Mrs Jones: Well, the inspector disagrees.
MR RATTENBURY: Settle down, Mrs Jones. I am getting there. I have been assured that they do—
Mrs Jones: Point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones on a point of order.
Mrs Jones: Is the term “settle down” appropriate for the chamber when addressing women members in the chamber?
MADAM SPEAKER: I am going to let that one stand but you did interject and call attention to yourself.
Mrs Jones: But, Madam Speaker, I am not asking about the interjection. If you want me to apologise for the interjection, I am more than happy to do that.
MADAM SPEAKER: All I am saying is that I do not believe it is unparliamentary.
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