Published Monday, 02 July, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
TRUTH SWEPT ASIDE IN MESSENGER'S QUEST FOR A HEADLINE
Rob Messenger’s thirst for media exposure has led to him making more outrageous statements about Queensland prisons, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said today.
“Mr Messenger’s claim that Queensland Corrective Services officers were put in danger during a bomb threat at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre last week simply illustrates he will do anything – and say anything - to get a headline,” Ms Spence said.
“Prison staff were never placed in danger and management took advice from Queensland Police Service first response officers who assessed the situation and concluded the threat did not have any substance.
“Once again Mr Messenger has resorted to cheap stunts and scare tactics to draw attention to himself.”
Ms Spence said the facts speak for themselves:
CLAIM: Management took almost a full hour to notify all the staff of the threat.
FACT: The letter was identified at 11:41 AM and all units were notified within 20 minutes.
CLAIM: Staff were requested to accompany police officers in a search of the building for the device.
FACT: Queensland Police Service officers conducted an initial assessment of the threat and
concluded there was no substance to it and handed the search back to prison
management. At no time did management force staff to participate in the search.
Ms Spence also rejected Mr Messenger’s claims the police Emergency Ordinance Response Team was not properly resourced.
“Our Emergency Ordinance Response Team currently has 35 operation bomb technicians and is well resourced to deal with threats of this nature,” Ms Spence said.
“I don’t see any need for an investigation. The Queensland Police Service and Queensland Corrective Services response to the threat was handled appropriately and according to guidelines.
“Mr Messenger should stop chasing headlines and spend more time presenting the facts,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“Mr Messenger’s claim that Queensland Corrective Services officers were put in danger during a bomb threat at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre last week simply illustrates he will do anything – and say anything - to get a headline,” Ms Spence said.
“Prison staff were never placed in danger and management took advice from Queensland Police Service first response officers who assessed the situation and concluded the threat did not have any substance.
“Once again Mr Messenger has resorted to cheap stunts and scare tactics to draw attention to himself.”
Ms Spence said the facts speak for themselves:
CLAIM: Management took almost a full hour to notify all the staff of the threat.
FACT: The letter was identified at 11:41 AM and all units were notified within 20 minutes.
CLAIM: Staff were requested to accompany police officers in a search of the building for the device.
FACT: Queensland Police Service officers conducted an initial assessment of the threat and
concluded there was no substance to it and handed the search back to prison
management. At no time did management force staff to participate in the search.
Ms Spence also rejected Mr Messenger’s claims the police Emergency Ordinance Response Team was not properly resourced.
“Our Emergency Ordinance Response Team currently has 35 operation bomb technicians and is well resourced to deal with threats of this nature,” Ms Spence said.
“I don’t see any need for an investigation. The Queensland Police Service and Queensland Corrective Services response to the threat was handled appropriately and according to guidelines.
“Mr Messenger should stop chasing headlines and spend more time presenting the facts,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287