Minister for Corrections, Madeleine Ogilvie MP, admitted in Legislative Council Budget Estimates today that it is unacceptable for the National Preventative Mechanism not to have the funding it needs to prevent the inhumane treatment or torture of Tasmanians in places where their freedoms are restricted.
Minister Ogilvie said she is concerned the National Preventative Mechanism was not allocated the funding it needs – a funding decision which has been condemned by the State’s Ombudsman, Richard Connock, who is also the NPM.
The National Preventative Mechanism was enacted by Parliament to uphold the rights to humane treatment of Tasmanians in prisons, youth detention, mental health facilities and aged care. But the Liberals allocated a paltry $300 000 this year. The Ombudsman made clear to the Rockliff Government that funding of at least $2.8 million was required.
The State of Tasmania has a sorry history of treating people in institutions in degrading and inhumane ways, which is why a properly funded National Preventative Mechanism is so critical.
Recently, the Custodial Inspector found prisoners had been held in inhumane dry cells, an unacceptable form of solitary confinement where inmates do not have access to running water. That is a clear denial of a person’s human rights. It’s exactly why we need a strong National Preventative Mechanism.
Minister Ogilvie acknowledges it’s unacceptable for the National Preventative Mechanism not to have the funding needed to be able to do his job. Now Premier Rockliff must intervene, and ensure that the National Preventative gets the funding it needs to prevent the inhumane treatment and torture of Tasmanians in places of detention.
