Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (20:54): (2352) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Corrections, and the action I seek is for him to prioritise funding to the successful wildlife rehabilitation program at Beechworth Correctional Centre. A constituent of mine has operated Beechworth wildlife rescue since 2016. Her partnership with the local minimum-security prison, Beechworth Correctional Centre, has seen incarcerated individuals take on the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife as part of the prison’s wildlife program. The program is considered a win–win for all involved. Beechworth wildlife rescue currently covers the costs of veterinary care, medicines, pathology, food and specialised formula and trains volunteer prisoners to care for and prepare wildlife for their return to natural habitats. The partnership has saved the lives of many animals who the rescue would otherwise not have had the capacity to take on. The prisoners experience the healing benefits that come with helping animals in need, as described by participants themselves. This includes Dixie the wombat, who arrived as a tiny orphan joey, requiring intensive and specialised care in order to survive. Prisoner A was assigned as Dixie’s primary carer, taking responsibility for her bottle-feeding and daily needs. As Dixie grew stronger, she followed him around the property while he completed other duties. For many participants, it is the first time they have formed a close bond with wildlife, allowing them to appreciate the individuality and personalities of the animals in their care. On the day of prisoner A’s release Dixie was weighed and had reached a healthy weight suitable for release. He returned home and Dixie was released into bushland surrounding the prison that same day. She established a burrow and is still sighted living independently in the wild.

Participants consistently report that taking responsibility for saving an animal who would otherwise not survive brings immense personal reward and improves their mental health and outlook. Some even continue volunteering in wildlife rescue after their release. Prisoner B, for example, has gone on to volunteer with several rescue groups, applying the skills he learned inside to help more animals in need. The program is so popular it now has a waiting list. The minister has previously spoken about this initiative in Parliament, and I understand that he has visited to see it firsthand. Given that demonstrated interest, I hope he will be willing to engage in a constructive conversation about strengthening and expanding it. Beechworth Correctional Centre would like to broaden the program to support more rescue groups and share some of the associated costs. I am therefore seeking the minister’s commitment to prioritising additional funding to secure and expand this deeply impactful program.