Thursday, 15 May 2025

Ministers statements: twinning project

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:26): A modern corrections system is about keeping our community safe now and into the future. That is why we have dedicated programs and services that are designed to support those in the corrections system to turn a new leaf.

The twinning project is a global soccer program operating out of the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa. In an Australian first we introduced this program to our Victorian system in November 2023. Some of you may remember me talking about the first graduation at the Metropolitan Remand Centre, which I had the privilege of attending. I am proud to update the house that the success of this project is now being replicated in our women’s system too.

Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre with the hardworking member for Wendouree in the other place to witness the graduation of the second cohort of female participants. It was deeply impactful to hear from them about the positive and lasting impact of this eight-week initiative. Some of the participants spoke about the leadership, resilience, teamwork and communication skills they developed during this program. Sixty-seven participants have graduated since the program’s commencement, and I am confident that there will be many more.

None of this would be possible without the commitment and partnership of Melbourne City Football Club, in particular City in the Community. I want to commend the people who are crucial to the running of this project, namely Melbourne City’s head of community Sunil Menon, who is known to many in this chamber – Mr Tarlamis, I will look at you; and also general manager Anne Morgan and the wonderful staff at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.

Programs like the twinning project are an important part of achieving the goals of our corrections system. By helping people turn their lives around and also equipping them with the tools they need, our government is delivering on our commitment and our responsibility to support people in this endeavour.