Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Ministers statements: prison programs

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:20): Yesterday I was back at Loddon Middleton prison. I had the pleasure of seeing the vocational education and training centre of excellence in action. The centre of excellence is a training and employment program that connects people with job opportunities even before they are released. The program was developed by Corrections Victoria in partnership with the Bendigo Kangan Institute and major construction sector employers. I want to thank our amazing staff and the Australian Constructors Association for their work to champion and support this program.

The goal is for participants to leave prison with a clear pathway to a job. The program offers a sense of pride and achievement and a real opportunity for people to turn their lives around, because we know that having a job does not just provide income and independence. It is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of reoffending, and that makes all of us safer. The VET centre of excellence program deserves proper recognition given the profoundly positive impact it is having.

Nicholas McGowan: On a point of order, President, the minister is, I would say, slavishly reading from his notes. I have previously raised this issue for consideration. I would appreciate that it is considered and that the President come back to the chamber with respect to that.

The PRESIDENT: Mr McGowan, ministers statements have been read I think since they were introduced, pretty much, along with members statements and along with a number of other items in our standing orders. As I responded to you previously, there is nothing in the standing orders about reading notes. It has been a practice. It has been put down as a practice. It is a practice that I have noticed has not been adhered to for a decade at least since I have been here, so I have asked the clerks to review all our practices and come back to the chamber. I think in a debate I agree with you, Mr McGowan, that there should be more debate rather than reading. There should be more debate and rebutting people’s comments from either side of the chamber; that is what a debate is about. But when it comes to ministers statements and members statements, I am comfortable that they read it, because they want to get it accurate on the record.

Nicholas McGowan: On the point of order, President, thank you for that reflection. Can that also include, please, attire? I am well known for being a fan of comfort and T-shirts and thongs and tracksuit pants, but in your review, if we are going to have rules in this place with regard to attire and we are all going to adhere to those rules –

A member: Burn the tie.

Nicholas McGowan: burn the tie – then I would suggest that we also look at attire as part of that review.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I would encourage members to email me any views they have on the procedures of this house. I am always interested to have conversations firsthand. We have gone from reading to what we are wearing, and I think we need to get back to questions and ministers statements.

Enver ERDOGAN: Thank you, President. As I was saying, the VET centres of excellence are great programs. They are about upskilling people in our custody and giving them the best chance to turn their lives around. Already 32 people have graduated into full-time employment. That is fantastic. And because of our government’s record investment in the Big Build there are heaps of jobs for skilled construction workers. The construction workers of this state know which government supports them. We support people in custody turning their lives around and making a real difference.

In the coming years we are going to be expanding the program throughout our prison system. I look forward to that program continuing to deliver, because obviously we know there is an acute labour shortage across the economy and across the nation. This program is meeting that need but also meeting the justice needs in turning people’s lives around. I know that many of my colleagues are committed to giving people the best chance to turn their lives around, and that is why we have made this investment. It is about skills; it is about jobs; it is about training. It brings it all together. It is about justice; it is about safer communities. And that is good for all of us.