5. SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
What is the Government doing to enable the Department of Corrections to improve the management of offenders on parole?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
The Government is providing an extra $255.9 million to the department to manage offenders on community sentences and parole efficiently, and in a manner consistent with public safety. This funding will provide for the recruitment and training of additional staff, and will also enable the department to address the concerns raised in the review of parole management by the Auditor-General.
How much of the funding will go towards improving the management of offenders on parole and home detention?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
A total of $103 million, made up of $71.2 million in operating funding and $31.8 million in capital. This funding will enable the department to improve the quality of management of offenders on parole and home detention, rather than just covering the increased volumes.
What else is the Government doing to assist the Department of Corrections to safely manage offenders in the community?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
As well as the significant increase in funding, an expert panel is currently reviewing all the procedures and performance measures that are used in the management of those offenders. The panel has significant expertise, and I am confident that it will guide the department as it makes necessary changes.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
How will the management of offenders on parole be improved by the fact that the number of police vehicles is to be slashed by 10 percent, and that police will find it more difficult to get—
Hon Dr Nick SmithHon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
—the question is about parole; why do you not listen—to get to the scene of the crime if an offender on parole does transgress?
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question that I put to the Minister was: “How will the management of offenders on parole be improved …”. It went on to ask about whether the cuts in the police vehicle budget would have an impact, given that police will find it more difficult to pursue offenders who are on parole if they transgress. The primary question was about the management of offenders who are on parole. The Minister cannot just slip her way out of this one. If she has cut the police budget by 10 percent—
Mr SPEAKERMembers must not use the point of order process to make a political attack. It is totally out of order. The member wants me to support him in his point of order. How does he think it helps his argument when he abuses the point of order process? It does not help. I might also add that when the member responded to an interjection while asking his question, he included the Speaker in his response to the interjection. So there are a couple of sins that the member has committed. The Minister is the sole judge of whether she has ministerial responsibility for an issue. Unless it is an absolutely fundamental issue, the Speaker cannot be the judge of whether ministerial responsibility lies with the Minister. The Minister has said that the matter is one that should be properly addressed to the Minister of Police. As Speaker, I need to accept that assessment by the Minister.