The CPSU has rejected the NT Government’s announcement that it allow a private company to build and own a prison near Darwin, warning that community safety must not be put at risk by handing essential services that should be delivered by public sector workers to a private operator.
The union is also concerned that privatising a new prison could cost Territorian taxpayers more in the long run, with profits flowing to multinational companies and public money leaving the Territory.
Privatising prison services risks undermining accountability, transparency and the quality of support provided to staff, prisoners and the broader community.
The NT Government need only look to other Australian jurisdictions, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, to see that prison privatisation does not deliver better outcomes.
The CPSU is calling the NT Government to reconsider its announcement that will allow a private company build and own a prison facility in the state.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SUWAN ADAMSON, CPSU REGIONAL SECRETARY:
“The NT Government’s decision to privatise the new prison shows a complete disregard for the skilled public sector workers who keep our correctional system running and deliver the services Territorians depend on every day.”
“Prisons should not be in the hands of profit-making businesses. We have seen firsthand how privatisation has failed in other jurisdictions, where multinationals line their pockets with taxpayers’ dollars.”
“Community safety should be the sole objective of any corrections system – not the bottom line of a private operator.”
“CPSU members are trained, trusted and have the expertise to deliver critical government services. Ignoring that expertise and handing control to a profit-driven operator puts Territorian workers, and the broader NT community at risk.”
