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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-12 Daily Xml
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PRISON STAFFING

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:45): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services a question relating to prison staffing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In September 2008, the Australian Institute for Social Research undertook a survey of 252 staff from the three correctional facilities that the state government proposes to relocate from various metropolitan regions to Murray Bridge. The survey found that fewer than 11 percent of staff are prepared to follow their jobs to relocated facilities in Murray Bridge.

The chief executive officer of the Department for Correctional Services reportedly told a public meeting at Murray Bridge on 1 September 2008 that up to 75 per cent of staff would consider moving to Murray Bridge. My questions are:

1. What advice has the minister been given as to the anticipated proportion of staff willing to move to Murray Bridge?

2. On what basis did her chief executive officer assert that up to 75 per cent of staff would consider moving?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:46): Members opposite clearly do not like Murray Bridge. I thank the honourable member for his question in relation to staffing at the new prisons at Mobilong. As one would expect, it is a long consultative process with staff and, of course, the PSA, in particular, for the new prisons at Mobilong. The department itself has undertaken a staff survey. Also, the department may not just be in the process of appointing a human services officer to work with staff to find solutions for the staffing problems at Mobilong; I think it already has.

It is understandable that the prospect of changing work location can be of significant concern to some staff and, as such, the department is taking every reasonable action to reduce the impact that the changes may have. As I have said, it is a big task to plan the staffing of new prisons and to move away from the Yatala precinct, which has been going, I think, since 1856 or 1857. However, we have a long-term planning horizon and, in consultation with the staff and, in particular, of course, the union, I am confident that we will find the solutions.

All new staff now being employed understand the likelihood that they may well have to work at Mobilong in the future. I think the honourable member opposite underestimates the value of living in Murray Bridge or, indeed, around the area, particularly the Adelaide Hills. I know that some of the staff who work at Mobilong do already commute from some parts in the Adelaide Hills. We have not had a problem in finding staff for Mobilong now. As I have said, we appreciate that we have to work with the union, and I am fairly certain that a specialist staff member has already been appointed. We will continue to work to find the right solutions for those who do not particularly see themselves moving to a new and exciting workplace.

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