SEENEY AND THE OPPOSITION AN EMBARRASSMENT: SPENCE
Published Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 at 07:06 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said the leader of the Opposition has been left red faced, after delivering bogus information in an embarrassing question to the Premier today.
Ms Spence said Mr Seeney’s claims, that taxpayers’ dollars were splurged on cable TV for prisoners, have been debunked by material provided with his very own press release to the media.
“Mr Seeney suggests that prisoners are being provided with cable TV for movies and sports, even though the information he himself delivered to the media, clearly explains the only programming being streamed via “cable” to prisoners is about Literacy and Numeracy, How to apply for Bail, Hepatitis C and Prison Chaplaincy Services,” Ms Spence said.
“If Mr Seeney or any of his advisors had read the document which they themselves released, they would have realised that this “cable channel” is merely an education tool for rehabilitating prisoners.
“A further document which was released by Mr Seeney made reference to extending the fibre optic network, not as he suggests for cable TV or broadband, but as part of the state of the art surveillance system being installed at Brisbane Correctional Centre.
“Either Mr Seeney doesn’t understand his own releases, or he wants prisons to be devoid of the latest security technology.
“Either way it is a sad indictment on his understanding of simple issues – and a clear indication of why the opposition should never be allowed to govern Queensland.”
Ms Spence said Mr Seeney also claimed that providing air conditioning in prisons was a waste of taxpayers money.
“He clearly hasn’t heard of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody which made clear and unequivocal recommendations that hanging points such as bars on windows must be eliminated,” Ms Spence said.
“This can only be achieved through air conditioning cells – and this government is not about to ignore recommendations that prevent prison suicide.”
“The Opposition consistently make outrageous claims about our prisons, from prison officers being shot at on a daily basis, to drug dogs that can’t detect drugs.
“If the opposition had their way, prisoners would be in broad arrows breaking rocks in the hot sun and escaping at will.
“Their press release issued today must make credible media sources wonder if Mr Seeney and his colleagues on the opposition benches can ever be taken seriously again.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said Mr Seeney’s claims, that taxpayers’ dollars were splurged on cable TV for prisoners, have been debunked by material provided with his very own press release to the media.
“Mr Seeney suggests that prisoners are being provided with cable TV for movies and sports, even though the information he himself delivered to the media, clearly explains the only programming being streamed via “cable” to prisoners is about Literacy and Numeracy, How to apply for Bail, Hepatitis C and Prison Chaplaincy Services,” Ms Spence said.
“If Mr Seeney or any of his advisors had read the document which they themselves released, they would have realised that this “cable channel” is merely an education tool for rehabilitating prisoners.
“A further document which was released by Mr Seeney made reference to extending the fibre optic network, not as he suggests for cable TV or broadband, but as part of the state of the art surveillance system being installed at Brisbane Correctional Centre.
“Either Mr Seeney doesn’t understand his own releases, or he wants prisons to be devoid of the latest security technology.
“Either way it is a sad indictment on his understanding of simple issues – and a clear indication of why the opposition should never be allowed to govern Queensland.”
Ms Spence said Mr Seeney also claimed that providing air conditioning in prisons was a waste of taxpayers money.
“He clearly hasn’t heard of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody which made clear and unequivocal recommendations that hanging points such as bars on windows must be eliminated,” Ms Spence said.
“This can only be achieved through air conditioning cells – and this government is not about to ignore recommendations that prevent prison suicide.”
“The Opposition consistently make outrageous claims about our prisons, from prison officers being shot at on a daily basis, to drug dogs that can’t detect drugs.
“If the opposition had their way, prisoners would be in broad arrows breaking rocks in the hot sun and escaping at will.
“Their press release issued today must make credible media sources wonder if Mr Seeney and his colleagues on the opposition benches can ever be taken seriously again.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287