Thursday, 29 August 2024

Port Phillip Prison

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:06): (647) My question is to the Minister for Corrections. Minister, on a recent visit by union officials to the soon-to-be-closed Port Phillip Prison, staff were told that unless they were a member of the CPSU there was no job for them at Western Plains. Minister, is this discrimination against non-union employees at Western Plains consistent with government policy?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:07): I thank Mr Davis for his question and his interest in our corrections system. I have never heard of that report before, so I would just suggest that that may be a bit of misinformation there or mischief from those opposite. What I will say is that staff are employed by G4S at Port Phillip. It is the responsibility of the employer, and those people are experienced staff. There will be a dedicated pathway for them irrespective of their association with the union – for all those staff. We need more staff. We are hiring. There are going to be 600 additional jobs at Western Plains. I look forward to meeting with the people at Port Phillip, who are dedicated, hardworking people in our corrections system, and again I want to thank each and every one of them for that work that they do – in a maximum-security setting, I might add – to keep us all safe and to care for those in custody. There will be a dedicated pathway for them – 600 new jobs at Western Plains – and I encourage them to apply.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): My supplementary is again for the minister. Minister, will you intervene to ensure that all employees from Port Phillip Prison that apply for a role at Western Plains are considered on merit, not on their membership of the union?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:08): I thank Mr Davis for his supplementary question. I will add that the Port Phillip Prison will continue to operate for about another 18 months, until the end of 2025. There will be a dedicated pathway for those employees. Corrections Victoria have been clear that they will work with all workers at Port Phillip to apply for dedicated –

Members interjecting.

Enver ERDOGAN: The department runs a merit-based process, and they will be able to apply.

David Davis interjected.

Enver ERDOGAN: Mr Davis, if you have some information, I recommend that you report it to the appropriate authorities. But what I will say is that there is a dedicated pathway for all employees regardless of their association. There are 600 new jobs, and I encourage those dedicated, hardworking people at Port Phillip to apply.