Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (11:49): My question is addressed to the Minister for Corrections. Will the Minister please update the House on how the Minns Labor Government is strengthening the State's correctional system to keep communities safe?
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Ryde to order for the second time. I take a dim view of members interjecting while another member is trying to ask a question.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:49): I thank the member for Leppington for his question. I know that every member of this House would join me in condemning the appalling incidents of domestic and family violence that continue to be a stain on our community. The Minns Labor Government recognises that addressing domestic and family violence requires a system-wide approach. Prevention, early intervention, victim support and behavioural programs all play a critical role in reducing offending and keeping communities safer.
However, we make no apologies for our tough approach when it comes to holding perpetrators to account, particularly those accused of serious domestic violence. We have strengthened domestic violence laws, made bail harder to get and backed those changes with record investment. The result is that more serious offenders are off our streets and behind bars. Under the Minns Labor Government, we have had record numbers of inmates being held in custody for domestic and family violence. Around one-third of all remand inmates are there for domestic violence offences. Ultimately, that means that more prison space is required because if a court decides someone is too dangerous to be released on the streets, then they need to be behind bars. That is why we are delivering nearly 1,000 extra prison beds in the metro Sydney area over the next year.
We are reopening the 515-bed Dawn de Loas Correctional Centre at the Silverwater Correctional Complex, which was previously closed by those opposite. That will be backed by a $47 million investment and 150 new frontline jobs for people in the local community. We are also bringing Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands. Along with Junee, that is the second correctional centre we have brought into public management as part of our commitment to de-privatisation. As part of that transition, we have identified an additional 360 beds at the centre that will be used to support and strengthen the correctional system. That is not only a win for community safety but also a great win for frontline workers.
Between the opening of Dawn de Loas and bringing Parklea back into public hands, we have secured over 550 frontline public service jobs. That is strong, stable, long-term employment with strong conditions to support hardworking frontline workers. We are also changing how new inmates are brought into the correctional system. From 1 October this year, the Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre became a centralised, 24-hour, seven‑day‑a‑week intake and reception centre for both men and women. [Extension of time]
That means a safer and more efficient processing system, a stronger correctional system and police officers spending less time waiting at correctional centres and more time protecting our community. Those investments stand in stark contrast to the approach of those opposite. While inmate numbers are increasing because more serious offenders are being held on remand, those opposite are proposing to close Long Bay Correctional Complex. At the very moment we are creating nearly 1,000 additional prison beds, they are proposing to wipe out 1,200 beds from the Sydney metropolitan area, leaving dangerous criminals on the streets.
The SPEAKER: The member for Terrigal will come to order.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: They say they will build more capacity somewhere, but where and when? Nowhere.
Mr Anthony Roberts: Mr Speaker—
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Oxley to order for the first time. Members will come to order. The Clerk will stop the clock. Does the member for Lane Cove have a point of order?
Mr Anthony Roberts: I just have an answer. We are going to put them in Goulburn.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Lane Cove to order for the first time. I thought he was going to say that he could not hear the Minister because Opposition members were interjecting. There is no point of order. The Minister will continue.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: At a time of record inmate numbers, the Government is focused on expanding prison capacity where it is needed most. We are strengthening the correctional system; Opposition members are creating uncertainty about its future. We are supporting our prison officers; they are proposing to slash more than 1,000 jobs. We are backing our hardworking police; they are backing their own thought bubble. We are focused on supporting victims; they are focused on spurious property deals, but they do not know when or where. At a time when New South Wales families are already doing it tough, those opposite are looking to make it tougher.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Tweed to order for the second time. I call the member for Bathurst to order for the first time.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Their answer to community safety is crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. We know that keeping communities safe is about more than just increasing the number of beds in jails. But when dangerous offenders need to be behind bars, we will have space for them. Crime never sleeps, and the Minns Labor Government is not sleeping on crime.
