Ms MARTIN - 1998-02-19
Will he confirm that 2 prison officers at the Alice Springs jail have been seriously threatened by prisoners? One officer ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Could we have the question in silence?
Ms MARTIN: One officer had his life and that of his family threatened, and one female officer was threatened with sexual assault. Can the minister confirm that, despite complaints, no action has been taken by his department in relation to those threats? Will he admit that these incidents and the lack of departmental support are demoralising prison officers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what is demoralising some members of the Prison Officer's Association, and particularly Mark Wheeler, is that they do not want to pay $1 for a 3-course meal at the Alice Springs jail. This sort of issue is being referred to arbitration and the industrial tribunal. There is some unrest in the prison system. Everybody is well aware of that. However, for the member for Fannie Bay to say I have done nothing about prison officers being threatened ...
Page 6
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr POOLE: What do you expect me to do? What am I supposed to do about a murderer who has been locked up for the rest of his life threatening a prison officer? What do you want me to do? You do not understand the system.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Could we have the question in silence?
Ms MARTIN: One officer had his life and that of his family threatened, and one female officer was threatened with sexual assault. Can the minister confirm that, despite complaints, no action has been taken by his department in relation to those threats? Will he admit that these incidents and the lack of departmental support are demoralising prison officers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what is demoralising some members of the Prison Officer's Association, and particularly Mark Wheeler, is that they do not want to pay $1 for a 3-course meal at the Alice Springs jail. This sort of issue is being referred to arbitration and the industrial tribunal. There is some unrest in the prison system. Everybody is well aware of that. However, for the member for Fannie Bay to say I have done nothing about prison officers being threatened ...
Page 6
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr POOLE: What do you expect me to do? What am I supposed to do about a murderer who has been locked up for the rest of his life threatening a prison officer? What do you want me to do? You do not understand the system.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016