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) (16:25): In response: I thank our guests in the gallery and all those who signed the petition. I say clearly from the start that Goulburn Correctional Centre is not closing. The language that has been used indicates that, and that is not true. Goulburn will continue to be an important part of the system, with more than 200 hardworking staff, minimum security wings and the High Risk Management Correctional Centre—the supermax—at the complex. The four wings closed at Goulburn were some of the oldest in the State. The time had come to retire them for the safety of both staff and inmates. The wings were no longer fit for purpose and presented ongoing infrastructure and operational challenges, including limited ventilation and natural light, and limited access to hygiene facilities. The age of the wings also made them impossible to refurbish to meet contemporary standards.

We provided a commitment to staff that there would be no forced redundancies or forced relocations because of these changes, and that we would engage in a six-month staff consultation period about how to implement the changes smoothly and successfully. The consultation focused on ensuring affected staff were involved in discussions regarding workforce outcomes and implementation arrangements. The Government worked closely with the Public Service Association and engaged in discussions facilitated in the Industrial Relations Commission. I show my appreciation for everyone involved in the process. The level of engagement and willingness to contribute was invaluable.

The consultation period, and the assurances of no forced transfers or forced redundancies for staff, were something those opposite never bothered to do when they closed countless regional correctional centres, including Berrima, Grafton and Brewarrina. Regarding the calls in the petition for transparency and the release of information, I note that all documents have been provided and that the Government did not oppose the Standing Order 52 motion. The scaremongering and political gain by those opposite, and the reckless speculation that occurred about people's livelihoods, is unacceptable to the Government and unacceptable to the community.

The member for Goulburn has put political pointscoring before any consideration for workers in her local community. Those opposite had committed to closing correctional centres and stripping jobs out of the public service without any consultation, as seen in their plan to close Long Bay Correctional Centre. Given the skill and experience of the staff at Goulburn and the support of the community, Goulburn will always remain a high priority when thinking about future investment. Goulburn is a proud prison town and will remain so under the Minns Labor Government. I thank the community members who signed the ePetition for bringing their concerns to the Government's attention.