JAIL JOB CUTS HIT AT REGIONAL QUEENSLAND

Media Release.

Member for Rockhampton and Shadow Corrective Services Minister, Bill Byrne says the LNP government’s plans to privatise prisons including the Capricornia Correctional Centre breaks the Premier’s promise in December of “no more job cuts”.
“The first impact of privatisation will be job cuts, it is that simple,” Mr Byrne said.
“This is yet another blow for regional Queensland and the numerous communities where prison staff live, work, raise families, and spend their money.”
Mr Byrne said in August last year when asked about privatisation of prisons the Police and Community Safety Minister, Jack Dempsey, had clearly stated: “We have no plans for privatisation. None.” (Brisbane Times 16 August 2012)
“This sentiment was repeated by the Minister at the Budget Estimates Hearings, so he needs to explain his backflip,” Mr Byrne said.
Mr Byrne said in addition to prisons in Brisbane, the state’s network of government-owned prisons was heavily regionalised with facilities in:

•  Far North Queensland (Lotus Glen Correctional Centre)

• Central Queensland (Capricornia CC)

• Fraser Coast (Maryborough CC)

• North Queensland (Townsville CC)

• South East Queensland (Woodford CC; Palen Creek CC near Beaudesert; Numinbah CC in the Gold Coast Hinterland

• Brisbane-Ipswich corridor (Brisbane CCC; Brisbane Women's CCC; Wolston CC)

“There are more than 3,200 jobs in the prison system including almost 2,500 frontline jobs at both government-owned and privately operated jails,” Mr Byrne said.
“Reports today on the privatisation plans suggest new owners would cut running costs including their wages bills by 10%. Mr Dempsey needs to say today how many jobs will go.
“The LNP government’s mass sackings have already hit hard at local and regional economies and the Newman Government has already closed the Darling Downs Correction Centre, taking jobs out of the Toowoomba region.
“Just in December the Premier promised no more job cuts but now we find more cuts are in the pipeline through the LNP’s previously undeclared privatisation plans.
“This plan has come straight out of the second secret Costello Audit report and was never mentioned at the time of the 2012 state election.”
Mr Byrne said the loss of any prison jobs would mean fewer pay packets being spent in local and regional economies.
“It could also mean whole families leaving towns as people take new jobs elsewhere.”
END
20 February 2013