Thursday, 3 April 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Corrections system

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. Port Phillip Prison holds some of Victoria’s most violent and dangerous offenders. How can the Premier justify prisoners like Julian Knight and Raymond ‘Mr Stinky’ Edmonds having their security classification downgraded from high-risk because of her government’s ideological decision to close Port Phillip Prison?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): In acknowledging the Leader of the Opposition’s question, can I reject his claims in the question regarding ideology. I also need to correct the claims that he has made around capacity in our prison system, because of course we have constructed and supported the construction of the Western Plains Correctional Centre, which will open in coming months, so in terms of bringing extra capacity to the system, we understand that. I also want to be clear, and I would have thought that for someone who has a bit to say about his time in the justice system the Leader of the Opposition would be aware, that decisions around a prisoner’s security classification are made independently – operational assessments are made independently – by Corrections Victoria –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Cranbourne! The Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: But anticipating that this might be another piece of information that the Leader of the Opposition is not quite across, I have also received advice that the decision made by Corrections Victoria is not related to capacity in the system. Let us remember too that for one of the individuals the member named in his question – one of them in particular – the Parliament passed legislation to ensure that that individual never leaves prison. He will die in prison. That also is something that Corrections Victoria are well aware of, because this Parliament made that change.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): Premier, isn’t it a fact that due to the downgrading of the security classification of Julian Knight he no longer had to be handcuffed when he attended St Vincent’s Hospital, risking the safety of patients and staff?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:05): As we have learned from this Leader of the Opposition, we need to always check because the Leader of the Opposition has a lot to say but is not always across the detail. I say this in the context that what the Leader of the Opposition has claimed is a reflection on the hardworking operational staff of Corrections Victoria who make these decisions.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, in relation to relevance and the Premier being factual, any person who is downgraded to a B rating no longer has to be handcuffed when leaving the prison walls to go into hospitals. Why is this happening now with Julian Knight?

The SPEAKER: A point of order is not an opportunity to make a statement to the chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: He has changed his tune. The Leader of the Opposition has changed his tune from his question to his point of order. The Leader of the Opposition said it was a fact that this was happening with this individual, and now it is just a broad policy he is referring to. The Leader of the Opposition is attacking the workers who make these independent decisions in Corrections Victoria.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Members will be removed without warning.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.