Inspector of Detention Services Bill 2021

Supports the bill as important oversight for corrective services facilities, emphasising the role of rehabilitation in reducing reoffending and the need for transparency in the detention sector.

“The inspectorate of detention is so important. As the member for Keppel commented, the experience of the prisoners is a key part of the many factors that determine whether a prisoner who has served their sentence will reoffend.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting her experience visiting correctional facilities in Wacol and praising the dedication of corrective services staff to treating detainees respectfully.

“This bill is going to go some way at least to shining a light on the great work that is happening behind closed doors in our corrections facilities.”— 2022-08-18View Hansard

Commended the bill for establishing independent oversight of detention facilities, noting it addresses recommendations from multiple criminal justice reviews.

“The purpose of the Inspector of Detention Services is to facilitate greater transparency and accountability in the way that places of detention, and the people detained within them, are managed.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As Minister, moved the second reading and commended the bill which establishes an independent inspector to promote humane treatment of detainees, with additional funding of $9.38 million over four years and 16 new staff.

“The Palaszczuk government is committed to protecting the human rights of all Queenslanders, including those in detention.”— 2022-05-26View Hansard

The Greens will support the bill as better than no inspector at all, but expressed significant concerns that it does not properly meet OPCAT obligations, the inspectorate lacks full independence, the definition of detention is too narrow, and inspection frequency is insufficient.

“I reiterate that the Greens will support this bill because a new Inspector of Detention Services is certainly better than none at all. It is clear that, with ongoing overcrowding, under-resourced rehabilitation programs, human rights infringements, frequent and long lockdowns, and the ongoing overrepresentation of First Nations and disabled people in detention, this is well overdue.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about minimum inspection requirements being too low at five years, and questioned whether the dual model with the Ombudsman would be adequately resourced.

“If this state government truly was concerned with the objective of this bill in ensuring rehabilitation and ensuring that our correctional facilities are safe for the corrective services officers who work there, then I would think that it would raise that bar a little bit higher.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Announced the LNP would not oppose the bill, providing a detailed historical context of prison reform while noting the additional funding addresses concerns about resourcing the Ombudsman's expanded role.

“As it was when that obscure country squire John Howard in the 18th century started his review of prisons, inspection, openness and transparency are the way that we will see humane conditions in our prisons and in our prison system.”— 2022-05-26View Hansard

Supports the bill to establish independent oversight of detention facilities, noting the government's commitment to prisoner training and rehabilitation at facilities like Borallon Training and Correctional Centre in his electorate.

“Any bill that brings greater scrutiny to the operation of places of detention is a step forward in the right direction because it directly and indirectly highlights the work of the facility.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a former correctional officer, defending custodial staff against implications of torture while welcoming greater transparency and oversight.

“Any bill that brings greater security to the operation of these places of detention is a step in the right direction because it will directly and indirectly highlight the excellent work of the officers who work there.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, noting it addresses recommendations from multiple reviews into Queensland's criminal justice system including the Independent Review of Youth Detention and Taskforce Flaxton.

“The purpose of the Inspector of Detention Services is to facilitate greater transparency and accountability in the way that places of detention, and the people detained within them, are managed.”— 2022-05-26View Hansard

KAP welcomes transparency in detention centres but expressed strong concerns that the bill focuses on detainee welfare while ignoring the rights and safety of workers who face abuse and assaults, particularly at youth detention facilities like Cleveland Bay.

“Unfortunately, the people who are not represented through the inspectorate's work will be the people who work in these detention centres. There should be a concurrent, or at least run in parallel, program which focuses on the rights of the workers in these centres.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Supported the bill while emphasising the need for adequate resourcing and noting concerns about systemic issues like overcrowding and lack of transitional housing.

“In a state as large and diverse as Queensland, this new inspectorate should be a stand-alone office and resourced accordingly.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supports the bill as demonstrating the government's commitment to human rights in detention, and praised the government's decision to return all prisons to public ownership after witnessing privatised centres prioritise profits over staff and detainee welfare.

“No-one wins through a privatised detention system, and I am so proud to be part of a government that has eradicated them.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's commitment to criminal justice reform, noting the importance of independent oversight in detention settings.

“Independent inspectors ensure accountability and transparency in the way that those places are managed. They are a set of independent eyes and ears in places that are often closed off, to some degree, to the public.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supports the bill as delivering streamlined oversight and accountability, noting the importance of the Attorney-General bringing the bill to recognise its independence from Corrective Services and Youth Justice portfolios.

“This reform seeks to simplify or perhaps clarify oversight mechanisms and accountability measures of places of detention.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Supported the bill for promoting transparency and accountability in detention facilities.

“The bill will contain some offences to ensure compliance with lawful requirements made by the inspector.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supports the bill as another good reform by the Labor government, emphasising basic human rights for all people including those in detention, and the importance of addressing disadvantage to prevent people entering the justice system.

“No, we do it because we understand the basic fundamental human rights of all people. We know the burden of imprisonment often falls on the most disadvantaged in our society, and on this side of the House we seek to represent all Queenslanders.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill while raising concerns about inspection frequency and resourcing.

“The LNP will not be opposing the bill.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supports the bill as establishing a single body for independent oversight of detention facilities, praising the cultural competency requirements and the government's dedication to human rights.

“This bill demonstrates the Palaszczuk government's dedication to human rights. It will ensure oversight, accountability and transparency in our places of detention.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Supported the bill's establishment of an independent inspectorate for detention facilities.

“The purpose of the bill is to improve detention centres with a focus on promoting and upholding the humane treatment of detainees.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As Attorney-General, delivered the reply speech defending the bill, addressing concerns about Ombudsman independence and resourcing, OPCAT compliance, inspection frequency, and First Nations over-representation in custody.

“We care about the human rights of all people, including those in detention. That is why the bill establishes an Inspector of Detention Services: to promote the improvement of detention services and places of detention; to uphold the humane treatment and conditions of people who are detained; and to prevent harm to detainees.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard

Supported the bill for improving oversight of detention facilities.

“The objective of the bill is to establish an independent inspectorate to promote and uphold humane treatment and conditions of people in prisons.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill while expressing concerns about the dual model with the Ombudsman and minimum inspection requirements.

“We will keep an eye on how it goes through the appropriate processes of the reports of the inspector and the estimates process.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about inspection frequency and independence.

“Openness, transparency and accountability in the administration of places of detention carries on the tradition of John Howard.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supported the bill as an important step for accountability in the justice system.

“Independent inspectors ensure accountability and transparency.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill while criticising the estimates process as inadequate for scrutiny.

“The estimates process is about asking questions about the expenditure of public funds.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard