David Norris (Independent)

I wish to intervene briefly. I found the reference I made in my contribution on Second Stage where I flagged this issue. I said:

There is also the matter of language. I had a visit from people involved in the care of young people who are concerned about the word "detention". They suggested it might appear to criminalise all the children in question. Children themselves speak of securing their "placement".

If the Minister of State was amenable, I am sure Senator Alex White and myself would be prepared to table an amendment to substitute the word "placement" for "detention" on Report Stage.

I have truly horrible memories of my detention in a noxious, snotty Protestant boarding school. I joke about being detained there but I felt I was imprisoned. Detention was a punishment and it brought shame. Detention was also involved in the excellent day school I attended subsequently. We felt really humiliated it we were detained. It meant we had done something really wrong and we were being punished for it. Sometimes I had to write lines or sit at my desk for two hours and I was probably the only person in the room and some unfortunate master had to supervise me. Therefore, the word "detention" is a little negative and I am grateful, as I am sure is Senator Alex White, for the support of Senator O'Malley on the Government benches and of course Senator Fitzgerald.