Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:35): (1307) My question is to the Minister for Youth Justice. Minister, an accused killer charged over the Cobblebank child murders allegedly pulled a knife on a worker in youth detention, claiming it was the best way to get what he wanted. Why are accused killers in custody able to be armed with deadly weapons in your youth detention centres?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:36): I thank Mr Mulholland for his question and his interest in that reported case. But as some of my colleagues’ interjections have outlined, this is a case that is on foot. All acts of violence against our hardworking justice staff are taken very seriously and referred to Victoria Police. That matter is before Victoria Police, and I do not want to jeopardise that important work. But what I will say is that as minister I have always been very clear: the safety and security of our staff is paramount. That is why I am proud of the Allan Labor government for the investments we have made in new facilities and modernising facilities but also in staff training and the support we provide for people after incidents like this. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Parkville and Cherry Creek for the work they do.

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:36): Minister, what measures are you putting in place to ensure Victorian prison officers are not at risk of being murdered while doing their jobs?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:37): I reject the premise of Mr Mulholland’s question. We take the safety and security of our staff very seriously. In my answer to the substantive question, I was very clear about the investments made in infrastructure. Some of that infrastructure investment is into the physical form of buildings. Safety is always paramount in those designs. We have invested in technologies such as body scanning so illicit products and contraband cannot enter into our facilities. We will continue to do that work. Understanding that these are very challenging, difficult environments, I want to again thank our staff for the work that they do.