Robbo Astride the Barbed Wire – Government’s Partial Backdown on Prison Privatisation

“Corrective Services Minister John Robertson is now sitting astride the barbed wire with rocks being thrown from both sides,” said Sylvia Hale, NSW Greens MLC and Prisons spokesperson.

“As a union leader he was against privatisation, then as a Minister he was in favour of it. Now he’s stuck in the middle with no coherent position. I guess that’s what happens when you sacrifice your beliefs for a seat at the Cabinet table.”

“I welcome the decision not to proceed with the privatisation of Cessnock or the Court transfer service. The community of Cessnock has already taken a significant hit with the loss of the Pacific Brands factory. It couldn’t afford to lose the jobs that would have been lost with the privatisation of the prison.

I congratulate the members of the Cessnock community for the campaign they have run to bring to the government’s attention the implications of the proposed privatisation for their community.”

“In light of the decision not to privatise Cessnock prison, proceeding with privatising Parklea makes no sense,” Ms Hale said.

“It’s time for the government to withdraw its privatisation plans altogether and address the problems that exist within the prisons system, rather than trying to wash its hands of those problems.”

“There should be a thorough review of the senior management of the Department of Corrective Services, starting with the Commissioner, to find out why the problems have not been addressed before now.”

“John Robertson should use his experience as a former union leader in a positive way to lead an open set of negotiations with the union to address the matters of concern on both sides. If he can’t sit down with the union to sort things out he should question how effective he is as a Minister,” Ms Hale said.

Further information: Chris Holley (02) 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546