Ms ROSOL question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
We have heard your words committing the government to closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre. However, at the same time, the completion of the new facility has been pushed out to 2027, as per the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) annual report.
The Youth Justice Reform Taskforce action plan refers to the new facility as a new option rather than a replacement facility. The long‑term outcomes listed in action 5 of the action plan do not include closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Are you building a new facility as an additional secure facility? When will you close Ashley Youth Detention Centre?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for her question. We will be closing Ashley.
Members interjecting
Dr Woodruff – When?
Mr ROCKLIFF – As soon as possible.
Members interjecting.
Mr Bayley – That is not good enough.
Dr Woodruff – That is not a date. It is not a plan.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We have a number of matters to work through.
The SPEAKER – Order, I understand members’ concern about this question and we have been debating it for a very long time. However, members on both sides need to let the Premier answer the question. There are people in the gallery who want to hear the answer.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Every conceivable effort is being made to not only support a more therapeutic facility at Pontville, but also to close Ashley as soon as practicable. That is exactly what we are doing. Mr Jaensch and a number of other ministers have addressed this matter, including myself, in recent scrutiny. More recently, Mr Jaensch did as well. I will repeat that Ashley Youth Detention Centre will close and it will close as soon as possible.
