159. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the practice of transporting young people from remote areas to Perth for detention at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, which, as acknowledged in Parliament by the now Premier on 17 September 2014, is “expensive, counterproductive and does not work”.
(1) Is the government considering any strategies to reduce the number of young people being transported from rural and remote areas to Banksia Hill Detention Centre?
(2) If yes to (1), what specific strategies are being considered?
(3) If yes to (1), which organisations or individuals are being consulted about these strategies?
(4) If no to (1), why not?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Corrective Services.
(1) Yes.
(2) The McGowan government will allocate $1.2 million over four years for the implementation of the framework to improve the juvenile justice system. In light of this commitment, the minister will be considering recommendations contained in this framework.
(3) The government is considering the recommendations made in the Kimberley Alternative Justice Framework as part of our election commitment and will be consulting with the relevant organisations and individuals once a decision has been made.
(4) Not applicable.