Minister for Corrective Services John Robertson announced last Friday that the NSW Government will retain Cessnock Correctional Centre in public hands.
“In light of the uncertainty being experienced by the Cessnock community the Government has taken the decision not to outsource the operations at Cessnock Gaol,” Mr. Robertson said.
Mr. Robertson said the decision to retain Cessnock Gaol will have minimal impact on the overall savings to NSW taxpayers.
“Cessnock has been hit hard by the global economic downturn with the closure of Pacific Brands factory putting more than 80 jobs at risk.”
“The Cessnock prison workforce will still be required in the coming months to implement the full Way Forward prison reforms but by retaining the centre in Government hands we can alleviate some of the instability being experienced by families in Cessnock.”
“The Way Forward, the most significant reforms in the history of Corrective Services, will continue to be rolled out in each of the 28 publicly operated prisons in NSW, delivering over $60 million in savings to taxpayers every year.”
“Today the Administrative Committee of the Labor Party placed no barriers on the Government’s reform agenda in Corrective Services.”
“The Rees Government is outsourcing the operations at Parklea Correctional Centre with the tender documentation to go out next week.”
“I understand the prison officers union is opposed to the government’s reforms but after six years of stalled negotiations, it’s time for everyone to get on with the job.”
“These are the right reforms for the people of NSW – delivering more than $60 million in savings per annum once fully implemented.”
Mr. Robertson also announced that prisoner escorts and court security would be contracted out in six months unless the workforce can deliver $5 million in savings to NSW taxpayers through industrial reforms.
“The workforce in prisoner transport has been given six months to achieve the $5 million in savings that would be achieved through the introduction of a private operator. If that is not achieved then the Government will proceed in November to contract out prisoner escorts and court security functions.”
“It’s time for Barry O’Farrell to come clean on his party’s policy on prison reform. While the Rees Government is getting on with the job the Opposition is yet to state any position at all.”
THE GLOVES ON AGAIN
On Saturday night Member for Cessnock, Kerry Hickey, steps into the ring to box four one-minute rounds for charity.
A far cry from the past six months or so when he’s pitted all his strength against the State Government’s plans to privatise Cessnock Correctional Centre.
Like the pivotal and outspoken role he took during the sale of the power generation debate last year, Mr. Hickey stood firm that Cessnock Gaol would not be offloaded to outsiders.
Mr. Hickey spoke in a deliberate, controlled fashion last Friday afternoon when he announced that the privatisation of Cessnock Gaol was “off the agenda.” The gaol would remain in public hands.
He thanked all, including the Community Against Privatisation group, the unions and others who have supported him in gaining a positive outcome for the prison officers and the city.
He said there were still issues including how prison officers who have accepted transfers to other institutions could return to their jobs at Cessnock and reversals of redundancies if those officers wished to return to their professions.
There is one thing for sure and that’s win lose or draw in his stouch on Saturday night, he’ll get a standing ovation.
THE MOUSE THAT ROARED AND WON
With storm clouds brewing over the plan to privatise Cessnock Gaol last November, Tanya Roe made a decision that a campaign had to be launched to prevent the State Government’s drive to make it happen.
In a scenario akin to the mouse that roared, Mrs. Roe set about getting a petition started and that was the catalyst for formation of the Community Against Privatisation (CAP) group that would take the fight to the government.
“It’s overwhelming, I just burst into tears,” she said last Friday after learning that the gaol would not be privatised.
Mrs. Roe said it is a good feeling to know that through community support many things can be achieved.
CAP members lobbied the government, spoke withy ministers and appeared before the parliamentary inquiry.
The petition was the start of a snowballing effect saw CAP gain support from a gig number of groups including unions, Cessnock Council and Member for Cessnock, Kerry Hickey who opposed the privatisation plan from the outset.
Mrs. Roe said CAP, while appealing the gaol issue, is opposed to the privatisation of any public services.
She said CAP’s role does not end with the gaol issue, in fact the group will help support any community whose needs arise. they are prepared for the long haul.
Mrs. Roe said it (the campaign) had been an emotional rollercoaster and “we’re really exhausted.”
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