Thursday, 5 October 2023

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre

David DAVIS, Enver ERDOGAN
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Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): (291) My question is again for the Minister for Youth Justice. Minister, can you rule out that there was a sexual assault on any person during the riots that occurred on Tuesday at the Malmsbury youth detention centre?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:07): I thank Mr Davis for his question and interest in this matter. Let me state again: the safety and wellbeing of staff and the children in our custody is the number one priority. We are continuing to support our staff and the young people in our care. As I have stated previously, yesterday on record and publicly, there is a thorough investigation taking place internally by the department but also by Victoria Police. It is inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police. In the meantime I do not think it is appropriate that I respond to your speculation.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): The upshot of that is he cannot rule it out. Minister, these violent assaults, including what multiple sources inside the centre confirm was an assault of a sexual nature, have occurred on your watch, and I ask: what guarantee is there that assaults such as these will not occur again?

The PRESIDENT: I am a bit concerned that the question is hypothetical. The standing orders say that questions should not be hypothetical. Minister, I am happy for you to answer as you see fit.

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:09): I thank Mr Davis for his supplementary question on this matter. What I will say is that there is an ongoing investigation from the department but also Victoria Police. These are very sensitive matters, and I do not want to pre-empt that investigation. I will be responding once I have all the facts at the end of that investigation but not to your speculation and rumours.

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