Media Release.
Attorney-General
Jarrod Bleijie’s failure to consult before he announces his
increasingly extreme plans is causing consternation across the state,
says Shadow Correctional Services Minister,
Bill Byrne.
“The
latest example of the fledgling Attorney-General’s overwhelming
arrogance concerns his intention to create a so-called super-jail for
bikie-gang members at the Woodford Correctional Centre,”
he said.
“It
turns-out that the first Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan
Sutherland knew about the creation of a bikie university at Woodford was
when he heard details on local radio."
“The
Attorney-General has repeatedly ignored and dismissed the advice of
Queensland’s legal bodies over his extraordinary changes to punishment
policy."
“Now
it transpires that he has not even had the good grace to pick up the
phone to a local mayor to advise him that the prison in his community
will be the central focus of his ill-conceived
crackdown on bikie gangs."
“Councillor
Sutherland is rightly concerned that bikie gang members will be drawn
to his community to visit and possibly protest against the harsher
incarceration regime."
“In addition there is always a risk at any jail
that residents in the surrounding community have fears for their safety
and security which need to be addressed. Unfortunately the Newman
Government is not even interested in consulting those
who may have voted for the LNP at the last election when they promised
they would listen to Queenslanders."
“It is entirely
reasonable
for the Mayor to expect the common courtesy of a call or letter about
an issue of great concern to Woodford residents who might well believe
community safety is under threat."
“Typically
Premier Campbell Newman has dismissed Councillor Sutherland’s
criticism. He effectively told the Mayor to mind his own business."
“The
local council is requesting a meeting with the Attorney-General to
discuss his plan for Woodford. I believe they deserve to be heard, but I
hold no hope that Mr Bleijie will take time
away from his pursuit of his next sensational headline to sit down and
talk with community representatives,” said Mr Byrne.
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