Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches
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PRISONS (CORRECTIONAL SERVICES) AMENDMENT BILL 2002
(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)
Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. The purpose of this bill is to omit the current section 8(1) of the Prisons (Correctional Services) Act and substitute a new section to permit the Director to appoint only those persons who are employees within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act to be prison officers. Since 6 June 2000, the legislation has provided for the Director to appoint any person whether they be a public servant or not to be a prison officer. The then shadow minister for Correctional Services, the Honourable Syd Stirling MLA, opposed the amendment with the strong support of the Northern Territory Prison Officers Association. In fact, he gave an undertaking to repeal the amendment if the membership of the Association supported the repeal. The Association strongly supports this action.
The argument for the amendment at the time was to create the potential for savings. However, it is interesting to note that there has not been one single person other than a public servant appointed as a prison officer since the amendment in June 2000. This indicates that there was little if any purpose in amending this act in the first place. Further, employing private security guards within the prison system is contrary to this government’s policy. We prefer to work with the Prison Officers Association rather than against it, and I have every confidence that we can work together to achieve the required outcomes that ensure an efficient and effective prison service. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
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