Ms SYLVIA HALE: I address my question to the Minister for Justice. According to the New South Wales Ombudsman's annual report for 2007-08 there is overcrowding in cells in Wellington Correctional Centre. Why did the Minister seek an exemption from clause 22 of the Public Health (General) Regulation 2002 to facilitate the overcrowding rather than act to resolve the problem of overcrowding?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The member has asked this question before and I have answered it. I do not know what sort of planet the member is on because she does not seem to understand answers. An application has to be made to exempt us from a regulation under the public health regulations. The accommodation that is provided in Wellington is not dissimilar to that which is provided in other centres in the correctional system. I suggest that instead of the honourable member defending the liberties of criminals all the time she actually considers the rights of victims.