residents
right site
shortlisted sites
The
Hodgman Minority Government has reaffirmed its support for a new northern
prison at Westbury despite overwhelming opposition from residents.
Today
in Parliament, Will Hodgman, Elise Archer, Guy Barnett and Mark Shelton fully
backed the Government’s proposal to build a maximum-security prison on the
doorstep of the historic town, despite hundreds turning out in opposition at
the weekend.
Shadow
Minister for Corrections, Ella Haddad, said the people of Westbury were
desperate to have their voices heard after the Government botched the
consultation process.
“Westbury
residents have a right to know why their historic town was chosen as the
preferred site for this prison and are angry the Government has spent $115,000
on consultants to front community concerns while its members have gone to
ground,” Ms Haddad said.
Labor
Member for Lyons, Jen Butler, said Labor did not believe Westbury was the right
site for a prison.
“Labor
recognises the need for a new correctional facility in Northern Tasmania but we
agree with residents at Westbury that there would be more appropriate sites,”
Ms Butler said.
“The
Government must stop this secrecy and release the list of the nine shortlisted
sites so the people of northern Tasmania can make an informed decision on where
the prison should be built.”
Today
in Parliament, Will Hodgman, Elise Archer, Guy Barnett and Mark Shelton fully
backed the Government’s proposal to build a maximum-security prison on the
doorstep of the historic town, despite hundreds turning out in opposition at
the weekend.
Shadow
Minister for Corrections, Ella Haddad, said the people of Westbury were
desperate to have their voices heard after the Government botched the
consultation process.
“Westbury
residents have a right to know why their historic town was chosen as the
preferred site for this prison and are angry the Government has spent $115,000
on consultants to front community concerns while its members have gone to
ground,” Ms Haddad said.
Labor
Member for Lyons, Jen Butler, said Labor did not believe Westbury was the right
site for a prison.
“Labor
recognises the need for a new correctional facility in Northern Tasmania but we
agree with residents at Westbury that there would be more appropriate sites,”
Ms Butler said.
“The Government must stop this secrecy and release the list of the nine shortlisted sites so the people of northern Tasmania can make an informed decision on where the prison should be built.”
Jen Butler MP – Labor Member for Lyons
Ella Haddad MP – Shadow Minister for Corrections
