Ms WALKER - 2012-05-03
How does Budget 2012-13 continue to support the new era in Corrections?
Mr Tollner: Good question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I also thank the member for Fong Lim for his interest in Corrections. I am proud to talk in this House about the ongoing commitment to Correctional Services in the Northern Territory from the Henderson Labor government. In Budget 2012-13, that equates to a further $20m, which targets 189 new beds. Those beds are across Alice Springs, the Barkly Work Camp and the Darwin Correctional Centre. It is no secret that it is to manage the record number of inmates.
This government is about turning those numbers around and turning recidivism around. It is part of our plan, part of our new era initiative, to invest in staff. It is great to see new Correctional Services officers coming online, and it is great to see new people in Community Corrections. It is great to see clinicians joining us with our new era policy, and our roll-out of initiatives to turn around this revolving door, to offer education, rehabilitation and training, to make a difference.
It is also really pleasing to see this money in Budget 2012-13 will provide the funding for an exciting new initiative, which is the 20-bed training treatment centre directly targeting driving offending. That is in Alice Springs on the correctional centre campus. That will be for offenders mandated into this rehabilitation that directly relates to their offending behaviour.
There are also 10 more alcohol and other drug treatment beds in Darwin and Alice Springs. Once again, that is the new era initiative of directly targeting the offending behaviour, raising the education, raising awareness, and turning around what are far too many low-level recidivist offenders entering our system.
These are support initiatives that go to the bigger picture of the Doug Owston Correctional Centre set to open in 2014. This is purpose-built, innovative infrastructure that will structure days and support education and training and rehabilitation.
I am proud to say I can stand in this House as part of this government and tell Territorians we are about making a difference, as opposed to that disgusting policy of the other side where they will dig a big hole, concrete it, and put all the bad criminals in there. When you say things like that, you will be held accountable. It is on Hansard with all your other statements. You have no policy in this area other than a big pen ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Mr Tollner: Good question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I also thank the member for Fong Lim for his interest in Corrections. I am proud to talk in this House about the ongoing commitment to Correctional Services in the Northern Territory from the Henderson Labor government. In Budget 2012-13, that equates to a further $20m, which targets 189 new beds. Those beds are across Alice Springs, the Barkly Work Camp and the Darwin Correctional Centre. It is no secret that it is to manage the record number of inmates.
This government is about turning those numbers around and turning recidivism around. It is part of our plan, part of our new era initiative, to invest in staff. It is great to see new Correctional Services officers coming online, and it is great to see new people in Community Corrections. It is great to see clinicians joining us with our new era policy, and our roll-out of initiatives to turn around this revolving door, to offer education, rehabilitation and training, to make a difference.
It is also really pleasing to see this money in Budget 2012-13 will provide the funding for an exciting new initiative, which is the 20-bed training treatment centre directly targeting driving offending. That is in Alice Springs on the correctional centre campus. That will be for offenders mandated into this rehabilitation that directly relates to their offending behaviour.
There are also 10 more alcohol and other drug treatment beds in Darwin and Alice Springs. Once again, that is the new era initiative of directly targeting the offending behaviour, raising the education, raising awareness, and turning around what are far too many low-level recidivist offenders entering our system.
These are support initiatives that go to the bigger picture of the Doug Owston Correctional Centre set to open in 2014. This is purpose-built, innovative infrastructure that will structure days and support education and training and rehabilitation.
I am proud to say I can stand in this House as part of this government and tell Territorians we are about making a difference, as opposed to that disgusting policy of the other side where they will dig a big hole, concrete it, and put all the bad criminals in there. When you say things like that, you will be held accountable. It is on Hansard with all your other statements. You have no policy in this area other than a big pen ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016