175. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the machinery-of-government changes, to my question without notice No. 128 asked on 25 May 2017, and the Minister’s response indicating that all machinery of government changes needed to be completed by 30 June 2017, and I ask:
(a) which prevention and diversion program will be transferred to the Department of Community Services;
(b) which stakeholders were consulted about the decision to transfer these programs;
(c) if a decision has not been made with regards to (a), when will this be decided;
(d) will any staff be transferred from the Department of Justice to the Department of Community Services;
(e) if yes to (d), how many; and
(f) if a decision has not been made with regards to (d), when will this be decided?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
The Department of Justice advises:
(a) The transition of youth prevention and diversionary programs to the Department of Communities was unable to be facilitated in Stage 1 of the Machinery of Government changes due to the legislation that enshrines the delivery of Youth Justice Services. The Department of Justice has commenced preparatory work for the transition and is working with the State Solicitor’s Office to determine the legal position regarding the splitting of Youth Justice functions.
(b) Following the State Government’s announcement, and as part of the preparatory work for the transition, the Department of Justice has commenced consultation with a number of key stakeholders including the executive levels for Department of Justice and the newly formed Department of Communities, the State Solicitor’s Office, the Children’s Court and the union representing Youth Justice staff members.
(c) The timeframes relating to a final decision of which Youth Justice functions will transition is presently unknown and is dependent on the legal advice currently being prepared by the State Solicitor’s Office.
(d) Yes.
(e) The exact number is unknown and is dependent on the legal advice that will inform the transition plan
(f) Refer to answer (c).