Corrections Minister Andrew McIntosh today officially opened the $12.1 million expansion at Beechworth Correctional Centre.

“The 40-bed expansion at Beechworth Correctional Centre has increased the capacity of this facility to hold 160 prisoners as well as providing a multi-purpose hall and multi-faith chapel,” Mr McIntosh said.

“These types of projects create hundreds of regional jobs and allow the prison system to deal with projected increased demand. They also help boost local business both during and after construction.”

“In regional areas particularly, prisons are very much part of the community. People work here or they have friends and family who work in the prison,” he said.

Mr McIntosh said prisons were a key part of the community, particularly in regional areas.

“Beechworth has developed strong relationships with its local community, helping out after bushfires and floods and supporting less fortunate members of the community with its bicycle recycling program and Prisoners on the Run charity,” he said.

The Beechworth Correctional Centre expansion is one of a range of building projects to expand Victoria’s prison system.

“In a matter of weeks, an 88-bed expansion at the Marngoneet Correctional Centre will also open and work is well underway on a 350-bed expansion at Ararat Prison,” Mr McIntosh said.

Mr McIntosh said the State Government was committed to modernising and expanding Victoria’s corrections system to build secure prisons and invest in rehabilitation programs, which reduce re-offending.

The 2011-12 State Budget included more than $35 million to begin the rollout of the State Government’s commitment to provide 500 additional prison beds across the male prison system.

The Budget funding will be used to build 108 beds – 54 beds at Langi Kal Kal Prison and 54 beds at Dhurringile Prison.

“An extra $2 million in funding will go towards developing a business case for the development of a new male prison,” Mr McIntosh said.

Mr McIntosh today also visited Community Correctional Services offices in Wangaratta and Wodonga to meet with staff and discuss local issues.

The inquiry charged with recommending reforms for Victoria’s taxi and hire car industry has released its first paper titled ‘Setting the Scene’, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced today.

The background paper kick starts the 12 month comprehensive review led by the Taxi Industry Inquiry and headed up by Professor Allan Fels AO that was announced by Premier Ted Baillieu on 28 March 2011.

Mr Mulder said the Inquiry had a very important task in investigating the service, industry structure and regulatory problems that currently face the taxi and hire car industry.

“Taxis are an integral and essential component of the public transport system. But the Victorian taxi industry needs substantial structural reform and the government believes this inquiry is the first step in achieving reform,” Mr Mulder said.

“The Inquiry’s background paper delves into the complexities of the taxi and hire car industry and highlights some of the areas it will be investigating over the next 12 months.

“The latest quarterly customer satisfaction survey will show that passenger satisfaction with Melbourne’s taxis is at an all time low.”

The background paper, amongst other things:

introduces an economic and market perspective on the provision of taxi services;
provides high level results and themes from customer satisfaction survey data;
looks at general complaints data;
asks if the needs of people with mobility challenges are being met;
considers how taxis fit as a form of public transport in line with other transport modes such as buses;
questions the effectiveness of the current taxi industry structure and Government regulatory measures;
points to the role of improved working conditions, remuneration, and training of drivers in raising the standard of customer service; and
highlights the use of hire car services for pre-booked trips.
Professor Allan Fels said it was important to start the inquiry by asking questions and finding out what the public, stakeholders and the industry see as the big issues.

“This is the start of the Inquiry’s broad engagement with the Victorian community. It is an early opportunity to let us know what the Inquiry should examine by having your say on the matters raised in the paper,” Professor Fels said.

“The problems in the taxi and hire car industry are complex in nature and long standing. The government has given me a broad set of Terms of Reference to reflect this,” said Professor Fels.”

Mr Mulder said he was looking forward to hearing about the Inquiry’s findings as it progresses.

“We are supportive of the inquiry’s independence and broad scope, which will allow for Professor Fels to take on this task separate from the Government, in a transparent and open way, working with all stakeholders,” Mr Mulder said.

“The Coalition government is committed to real action and real reform to make sure Victorians and visitors to our state receive high quality taxi and hire car services and services that we all can be proud of.”

Copies of ‘Setting the Scene’ are available from the Taxi Industry Inquiry’s website at www.taxiindustryinquiry.vic.gov.au or by calling 9655 2000. Submissions close Friday, 24 June 2011.

buzzanddidj wrote on May 13^th, 2011 at 2:17pm:


Well, since you are such an expert, can you explain why Gillard was in a manufacturing plant near an oxy torch the other day and she crapped herself when the young fella lit it?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 13^th, 2011 at 3:40pm:

No comment on the latest Brumby corruption scandal then Buzz?

Who'd have thunk eh?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 16^th, 2011 at 4:35pm:










[quote]A spokeswoman for Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews did not explain why all but one of the letters were undated, but saidthe spokeswoman said.

longweekend58 wrote on May 16^th, 2011 at 6:24pm:










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