Anthony Roberts
Shadow Minister for Corrections
Wendy Tuckerman
Member for Goulburn
Shadow Minister for Corrections Anthony Roberts has called on the Minns Labor Government to abandon any plan to scale back Goulburn Correctional Centre and instead commit to protecting local jobs, and expanding the site as a major corrections, rehabilitation and law-and-order training hub for New South Wales.
Mr Roberts said Goulburn had been a cornerstone of the State's correctional system since 1884 and should be strengthened for the future, not quietly diminished.
"Goulburn is one of the most historic and important correctional sites in New South Wales - and historic does not mean obsolete," Mr Roberts said.
"As Shadow Minister for Corrections and having held the Counter-Terrorism portfolio in Government, I know how serious decisions about this site need to be. The answer is not to run Goulburn down. The answer is to build it up."
Mr Roberts said the Government’s first obligation must be to the workforce.
"These correctional officers and their families cannot simply pack up and move. They have mortgages, children in local schools and deep ties to the Goulburn community, and their jobs must be protected and grown, not used as line items in a budget exercise," Mr Roberts said.
Mr Roberts reaffirmed the Liberal and Nationals’ position that the Supermax must remain at Goulburn while the broader site should be expanded across minimum and maximum security, Corrective Services Industries, education and training.
"The Supermax stays. That is non-negotiable," Mr Roberts said.
"At the same time, this site should expand its minimum-security capacity, refurbish education and vocational facilities, grow Corrective Services Industries, and better prepare suitable inmates for life after custody through real work, real skills and real discipline."
“Transferring suitable inmates from Long Bay to Goulburn would both revitalise the Goulburn Correctional Centre and assist the Long Bay transition.”
“A NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest in Goulburn Corrections, utilising the proceeds of our proposal to transition Long Bay into a future housing development.”
Mr Roberts acknowledged the strong advocacy of the Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman MP, and called on the Minister for Corrections to release the Government's full plan for the site.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman MP said the facility should be operating at full capacity and supported by long-term investment.
“The Minns Labor Government has failed to plan and failed to recognise the importance of continued investment in this critical facility. That lack of foresight is putting local jobs and public safety at risk,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
Mrs Tuckerman challenged the Minister for Corrections to guarantee investment and job security for local officers.
“The people of Goulburn deserve answers. The workforce deserves certainty. What is the future bed capacity? What guarantees apply to local jobs? Has Long Bay transition capacity been properly assessed? Has an economic impact assessment for Goulburn been completed?” she said.
“Labor is looking at what it can shut down. The Liberals and Nationals are focused on what we can build.”