Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Ministers statements: the Torch

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (13:53): I recently had the great pleasure of attending the Confined 14 exhibition at Glen Eira town hall. It is the latest in a series of exhibitions presented by a fantastic organisation called the Torch. Since 2011 the Torch has been providing Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system with arts, cultural and vocational support that helps them to stay connected to culture and turn their lives around. Of course this program is delivered in partnership; it is a great private and public partnership between the Torch and our government.

But this is much more than just an arts program. For Aboriginal people in custody the Torch provides Aboriginal-led support to learn about their language group and their culture and country, as well as to develop valuable skills. Once people are released, the Torch continues to support them to build their cultural knowledge, confidence and art practice. Confined 14 presents more than 450 artworks by First Nations artists. I was impressed by the quality of the artworks, but more than that I was moved by the stories of the people that had turned their lives around with the support of the Torch.

I was joined at the exhibition by a number of special guests, including the CEO and head curator Kent Morris and members of our Yilam team, Corrections Victoria’s Aboriginal staff, who work day in, day out to support Aboriginal people in custody. They are a highly skilled and respected group who work in a difficult environment. Their efforts and frontline work in the corrections system are enormous in making a difference to Aboriginal people getting out of prison and staying out of prison.

I also want to thank a member for Southern Metropolitan Mr Batchelor for making the time to join me. I am sure that he found the experience just as valuable as I did. I want to congratulate the Torch on another successful annual exhibition and again thank them for their ongoing work supporting Aboriginal people in custody.