Thursday, 6 February 2025

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:33): I rise today to update the house on the progress towards the opening of the new state-of-the-art Western Plains Correctional Centre. This new maximum-security facility is on track to open from the middle of this year, and it is a key part of the transformation of Victoria’s corrections system.

Recently I was joined by the corrections commissioner Larissa Strong and prison operations manager Corey Stipcevich to announce new job opportunities. Right now we are recruiting new staff for Western Plains. New recruits will receive an $8000 sign-on bonus when taking up one of over 600 new jobs at Western Plains. Working in corrections is a rewarding career for many Victorians, and Corey is a great example of this. He told me how, 12 years ago, he made the career change from hospitality to being a prison officer and he has never looked back. For those who are interested, he is a Geelong local as well, so a good westie. He shared the many different aspects of working in corrections, ranging from general duties, such as patrols and security checks, to also helping people in prison engage in rehabilitation programs, like counselling, education and work. Since joining Corrections Victoria as a prison officer, Corey’s career has gone from strength to strength, and he now manages a team of corrections workers.

Corey’s story demonstrates that people from all walks of life can build a successful and rewarding career in our corrections system. That is why we are looking to recruit people from a range of personal and professional backgrounds, including tradies, retail and customer staff and many others. New recruits can look forward to joining a modern, safe and effective prison system where they will be able to make a real difference, keeping Victorians safe and supporting people to turn their lives around. As we enter a new year, I encourage anyone looking for a new career to look closely at the opportunities in our corrections system. You may be more suited than you think. The possibilities are truly endless.