00:00The department painted a rosy picture of Unit 18 when it first opened.
00:07This is a much better environment for them, it's a much safer environment for them, it's
00:11secure, it enables them to get the care and attention that they need in a much more intensive
00:17manner.
00:18Today the court heard it was in fact a more dangerous environment.
00:23In letters to the young people set to be transferred there, their parents and in media statements,
00:29the department insisted it would have the same level of services that are available
00:33at the Banksy Hill Youth Detention Centre.
00:36Now the man who was then at the helm admitted this was wrong and deceptive.
00:40It's sad that it's got to this point, but the reality is that it's now actually starting
00:45to speak the truth.
00:47Council assisting the coroner Anthony Crocker put to Dr Thomason that it was incomprehensible
00:52that the department would lie to people like that.
00:55Yes, the former Director General replied.
00:57It was also revealed that a briefing note sent to the then Corrective Services Minister
01:02Bill Johnston seeking approval to create Unit 18 included information Dr Thomason conceded
01:09was blatant lies and that the minister would likely not have approved it without further
01:14work.
01:15Dr Thomason said he genuinely believed the material sent off to the minister, the media
01:21and the detainees was accurate, claiming he would have never signed off on it if he thought
01:25it was false.
01:26He told the court that he acted on information provided to him by the then Corrective Services
01:31Commissioner and his deputy, both of whom are set to give evidence next week.
