Amended answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 9 to Minister, 11 May

I seek leave to correct an answer I gave concerning relationships between inmates and female corrections officers. On 11 May, in answer to an oral question from Ron Mark MP I indicated that since December 1999 five female staff have been investigated for inappropriate romantic or sexual relationships with male inmates. I have since been advised that the figure is 17. Of the 17, one was dismissed, eight resigned, seven of the relationships were not proven while the staff members were employed, and one is still under investigation. I apologise to the House for this error.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am seeking your assistance as the Speaker of this House. We know that the Minister’s officers and his department have some 4 hours in a day in which to get factual answers to specific questions. I have been subjected on many occasions by this Minister and his department to accusations of saying falsities in this House—of asking questions and making statements that are not correct. On this particular occasion it was very clear to me that the answers that were being given were somewhat out of kilter with the public record. I ask you what protection or assistance you can give members of the House to ensure that we get factual answers to our written questions on the day, not some sort of apology 5 or 8 days after the fact.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: The member has made his point very effectively, but there is no point of order that I can rule on. If the Minister has made a mistake and he corrects it, that is fine. If he does not, then, of course, other actions can follow. But I can assure the member that I have taken note of what he has said.

I seek leave for Parliament to set half an hour a week aside on a permanent basis to allow Ministers to come down to correct the answers to questions that they have given inaccurately.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to do that. Is there any objection? There is.