Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:05): My question is to the Minister for Youth Justice. Minister, just two years ago the government closed Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre after spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on upgrades and paying staff $15,000 each to stay on until its closure. The government is now spending millions more to reopen it. Can the minister inform the chamber of the total cost of reopening the centre?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:06): I thank Mr McGowan for what is a good question and a good start. I think that is his second question in this place. It is your second question, but it is a good start, and you have still got one. Let me be very clear to everyone in the chamber: the decision to close Malmsbury at the time was the right decision then, and the decision to reopen Malmsbury today is the right decision now. Let us get that very clear. We as the government have always said we will be prioritising community safety, and that is what we are doing. This is about unlocking additional capacity to ensure that dangerous repeat offenders have a custodial facility if the courts decide that is appropriate. In relation to the total cost, it should have been part of the announcement. I did answer this question on the doors: the cost will be $141 million over five years to reopen Malmsbury.

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:06): I thank the minister for his answer. But to satisfy the chamber I would appreciate a breakdown of those costs, Minister, in respect to, obviously, staff redundancies and also the amount of money that is either capital expenditure or recurrent expenditure it will cost in this budget and from what part of your budget it comes from.

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:07): I thank Mr McGowan for his supplementary question. Mr McGowan, the cost to close down the Malmsbury facility was already acquitted as part of the budget processes in 2024–25. In relation to a budget update for this new additional investment – and I want to thank the Treasurer for her support – that will be as part of the mid-year budget update. You are a former member of PAEC, Mr McGowan. You would understand the government is always very transparent about our investments, and we will continue to do that in the usual way.