Published Friday, 27 April, 2007 at 06:22 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence sets the record straight on permanent work camp at Innisfail
A newspaper report claiming a shroud of secrecy surrounding the preferred site for a permanent work camp in Innisfail is wrong, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said today.
“We are not in the business of setting up work camps without the support of local communities,” Ms Spence said.
“The government announced in December last year it would set up a permanent camp after the success of a temporary camp which was established so prisoners could help clean up after Cyclone Larry.
“The Johnstone Shire Council wrote to us making strong representations to the government to set up a permanent camp.
“In fact the council suggested the Goondi Mill site to Corrective Services and there has been ongoing discussions with council dating back to receiving a letter for a permanent work camp in August last year,” Ms Spence said.
This issue was widely reported in the media in December last year.
Before any purchase of the preferred property proceeds, members of the public will be given opportunity to comment on rezoning as is standard practice with any rezoning application.
Ms Spence dismissed claims in the article that locals could be put at risk if the work camp was set up on the preferred site.
“Violent or sexual offenders are not eligible to participate the work camp program. All participants are carefully assessed and are close to discharge from prison or progression to parole,” Ms Spence said.
“There have been no significant breaches of security or behaviour by prison camp offenders in the 15 years work camps have been running in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“We are not in the business of setting up work camps without the support of local communities,” Ms Spence said.
“The government announced in December last year it would set up a permanent camp after the success of a temporary camp which was established so prisoners could help clean up after Cyclone Larry.
“The Johnstone Shire Council wrote to us making strong representations to the government to set up a permanent camp.
“In fact the council suggested the Goondi Mill site to Corrective Services and there has been ongoing discussions with council dating back to receiving a letter for a permanent work camp in August last year,” Ms Spence said.
This issue was widely reported in the media in December last year.
Before any purchase of the preferred property proceeds, members of the public will be given opportunity to comment on rezoning as is standard practice with any rezoning application.
Ms Spence dismissed claims in the article that locals could be put at risk if the work camp was set up on the preferred site.
“Violent or sexual offenders are not eligible to participate the work camp program. All participants are carefully assessed and are close to discharge from prison or progression to parole,” Ms Spence said.
“There have been no significant breaches of security or behaviour by prison camp offenders in the 15 years work camps have been running in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287