Adelaide Remand Centre

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:56): My question is again to the Minister for Correctional Services. Minister, why was this inmate left unsupervised for such a long period that he was able to fashion a makeshift rope and prise apart a grille to make his escape?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: standing order 104. The member is meant to address his questions through the Chair, not directly to the minister.

The SPEAKER: I will give the member for Elizabeth an opportunity to correct that. I also would give the member for Elizabeth the opportunity to consider the introduction of facts in the question.

Mr ODENWALDER: My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Through you, Chair, why was this inmate left unsupervised for such a long period of time that he was able to fashion a makeshift rope and prise apart a grille to make his escape?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: the member has taken your advice on one of the points of order, the one I raised, but not the one that you raised. Sir, he has still not sought leave.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. I will give the member for Elizabeth an opportunity.

Mr ODENWALDER: My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Why was this inmate left unsupervised for such a long period of time? With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr ODENWALDER: According to media reports and the SAPOL press conference, the prisoner made his escape with a makeshift rope and prised apart a grille to make his escape from the Adelaide Remand Centre.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Where was Serco, Vince?

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for West Torrens is on two warnings. The Minister for Correctional Services has the call.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (15:58): This is a very serious matter. There is no question that the incident will certainly be subject to a comprehensive investigation. As I said, DCS will investigate it and SAPOL will investigate it. With all respect, I think the member for Elizabeth may be presumptuous in some of the facts there, but, as I said, there will be an investigation—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —that's underway. We will get to the bottom of it and we won't shy away from it and we will address it.