Wednesday, 8 March 2023

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:19): Today is International Women’s Day, and I want to acknowledge the many talented women that work day and night in keeping Victorians safe and helping people in our criminal justice system turn their lives around. An example of the great work being done is the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee. This is a committee that was set up 20 years ago. It was established in 2003 and is expertly chaired by Juliana Addison, the member for Wendouree in the other place. I know the member for Wendouree is passionate about improving the experiences of women in the criminal justice system, and I thank her for the contribution that she makes on this committee. The Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee is comprised of fearless women across the sector, from social services, law, academia and lived experiences. This diversity assists the strength of the advice they provide.

The committee provides independent advice about issues impacting women in our corrections system, and this advice has great value as it contributes to a range of improvements that we have made to support women in our corrections system. Since 2019 the Andrews Labor government has invested over $245 million in additional funding to support women in custody. This investment is delivering dedicated cultural spaces at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, trauma counselling for women in custody and better infrastructure. But we know there is much more to do. Recent events have shown that we must do more to improve our corrections system for women. I know that by working with talented and experienced women like those on the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee we will keep doing what matters.