Extra $2m for Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre

BANKSIA Hill Detention Centre, the state’s only juvenile facility — and scene of a major riot — will get an additional $2 million.

Corrective services Minister Joe Francis at Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Canning Vale.

BANKSIA Hill Detention Centre, the state’s only juvenile facility which came under the spotlight following a riot last year, will get an additional $2 million towards more early intervention and diversion services but they won’t see the money until next financial year.

The government has spent $929,000 fixing damage to the centre from the riot.

In a Budget without Law and Order highlights, The Barnett Government said it was still committed to its “reform” agenda setting aside an extra $3.3 million for promises it made last year.

WA Budget 2014: Law and order at a glance

As indicated in the last budget, Magistrates Courts will sit on Sundays at the new Perth Police Complex, which currently only operates on Saturdays. These sittings will deal only with bail and remand decisions, freeing up the police lock up.

More money has been allocated for the Mental Health Court Diversion and Support Pilot Program, however no funding has been forecast beyond next financial year.

Legal Aid will get a slight increase in its budget to compensate for an increased demand in its services as a result of the withdrawal of Commonwealth funded services by the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA.

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