Wednesday, 5 February 2025

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (09:58): Over the summer break I was privileged to connect with Daniel Vansetten. Daniel, now in the third year of his law degree and achieving distinctions and high distinctions across the board, knows all too well the importance of access to literature in prisons. Daniel was formerly incarcerated himself. He is now a prison rights advocate and founder of a program that provides textbooks to people in prison for self-directed higher learning. The Books Behind Bars project aims to empower people in prison by giving them access to educational resources with a goal to help people in prison succeed and have autonomy. Many studies have shown the benefits for all in our communities when prisoners have the ability to undertake university and other higher level study. Daniel drove all the way from South Australia to collect my whole collection of textbooks from my law degree, as well as many others generously donated by members of my community, and spoke about the meaningful impact this donation will have on many prisoners’ lives. He is an incredible person doing incredible work, and I hope the many other members in this place who have studied law will consider donating their old textbooks to this life-changing program that is empowering prisoners right across the country.