Shadow Minister for Territory Families, Joshua Burgoyne, says it is ridiculous the Minister for
Territory Families can’t answer simple questions relating to the safety of staff at the Don Dale
Youth Detention Centre.
“We submitted questions to the Territory Families Minister back in March – they’re currently
more than 50 days overdue. It’s a requirement that written questions are answered within 30
days.
“Why can’t the Territory Families Minister tell Territorians the answer to the following
questions:
- Please advise the number of Youth Justice Officers who have been attacked in the Don
Dale Youth Detention Centre since January 2021. - What Personal Protective Equipment is provided to Youth Justice Officers working in
the Don Dale Detention Centre? - What support is offered to Youth Justice Officers who are the victims of attacks in the
Don Dale Youth Detention Centre? - Please advise the procedure required to request authorisation for the use of force from
the Superintendent of a detention centre pursuant to the Youth Justice Act 2005 (NT). - Where the use of force is authorised by the Superintendent, over what period is the
authorisation valid? - Please provide the number of occasions the use of force has been authorised in the
period from January 2021.
“We know the Gunner Government’s favourite pastime is scrapping scrutiny to distract from
its incompetence, but more than 50 days for the Minister to gather information the
department has readily available is either pure laziness or utter arrogance.
“It begs the question is the Minister dragging her heels because she’s overwhelmed managing
the broken youth justice system, or deliberately trying to hide the number of assaults on
Youth Justice Officers at Don Dale?” said Mr Burgoyne.
ENDS