Wednesday, 8 March 2023

COVID-19 vaccination

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:21): (90) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Corrections. Last year in August I made a request to the then Minister for Corrections related to vaccination requirements for visitors to corrections facilities. An answer was never provided, so I will make the same request of the current minister. That request is to review the current vaccination settings for children visiting incarcerated parents in particular but also all vaccine restrictions on visitation rights in correctional facilities in Victoria.

The reason that I brought this matter to the attention of the Parliament is because a young mother contacted my office. Her daughter was precluded from visiting her incarcerated father because she is unvaccinated. These restrictions are onerous and are resulting in perverse outcomes. Since being denied access to her father this young person has experienced emotional dysregulation and challenging behaviours. This young mother has stayed in contact with my office. I understand that her daughter is doing a little bit better, but in her generosity she has continued her advocacy on this issue out of concern for other families.

When I first raised this matter I noted that Victoria’s restrictions are at odds with the recommendations of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia, which indicate in their national guidelines for COVID-19 outbreaks in correctional and detention facilities that other control measures for visitors such as masks and testing are satisfactory to mitigate risks in prisons. I also noted the report from the Legal and Social Issues Committee inquiry into children of incarcerated parents, which highlighted the importance of the parent–child bond for child development and stated that maintaining contact between incarcerated parents and their children should be promoted if safe to do so.

The Corrections Victoria website lists as a requirement for children that they have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. There is an option to apply to the general manager for permission to visit if a child is unvaccinated. It is not clear if this permission would be forthcoming, but what is clear is that it is simply an additional barrier in maintaining that important parent–child bond. It needs to go.