Thursday, 4 May 2023

Ministers statements: Australian Corrections Medal

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:19): I rise today to highlight the outstanding work that is being done by corrections staff across our system. Yesterday I spoke about the achievements of Kerrie Frank, who was awarded an Australian Corrections Medal in this year’s Australia Day honours. Today I would like to congratulate and highlight the achievements of Janet Hatvani, this year’s second Victorian recipient of the Australian Corrections Medal for distinguished service in our corrections system.

I was very pleased to speak with Janet at the awards ceremony and hear about her journey. I saw her passion for the work that she and her team do in keeping the community safe and what receiving this award meant for her. She commenced work with us in community corrections in 2003. Since then she has served the people of Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region in a range of case management and supervisory roles. She is a well-respected leader, demonstrating warmth, compassion and vision. Janet is renowned for her ability to engage with people who are under supervision in a way that encourages meaningful change and helps them turn their lives around, and we know that makes us all safer. I again thank her for her continued dedication to her community and congratulate her on receiving the Australian Corrections Medal.

Janet is an example of the many people working across Victoria to keep us safer. They do remarkable work in sometimes challenging circumstances. This medal is not just a testament to her work or her team’s, it is a recognition of the vital role that she and her dedicated team do and that corrections staff do across the state. It is an honour for me to recognise her efforts and those of all corrections staff.