Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-02-23
What is the current stage of negotiation between the minister and the relevant federal minister in relation to the future of Gunn Point Prison Farm and the relocation of prisoners, given media publicity in respect of its being used to accommodate illegal immigrants from Asian countries who come here by boat under the cover of being thought of as 'poor refugees'?
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for her question. At the outset, I must say there is no status to any proposed changes at Gunn Point Prison Farm. I say that basically because the Northern Territory government has yet to receive any official approach from any federal ministers indicating that they wish to buy, rent, lease or sub-lease the property known as
Page 441
Gunn Point Prison Farm. Obviously, there is considerable interest at the federal level in the conversion of Gunn Point Prison Farm to a detention centre. However, I reiterate that we have received no official approach. Late in November, an officer from the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs came to the Northern Territory and was given the opportunity to view the facilities at Gunn Point. That confirmed the interest of the department at that point, as it had already had the opportunity to inspect the facility at a local level.
We have received no official approaches as yet. Despite the fact that it is a source of great interest in the media and there has been a fair amount of comment, the Northern Territory Cabinet has yet to consider whether or not the government would allow the federal authorities to lease or buy Gunn Point Prison Farm. My attitude is very much one of open approachability. I await with interest any offer from the federal government to lease the property. There are a number of questions to be answered. One of them, and not the least, is the question of having people who possibly have a malarial infection in an area such as Gunn Point where there are some mosquitoes. The Northern Territory government certainly would want to see such matters addressed prior to making any commitment.
The Northern Territory government also has a commitment to the taxpayers. We will not do anything that financially disadvantages the Northern Territory government and taxpayers to facilitate anything ...
Mr Bailey: In general or just at Gunn Point?
Mr POOLE: No. That is a general principle obviously but, most specifically, at Gunn Point.
There are also social factors to be considered, not the least of which is that we have a high percentage of Aboriginal prisoners in the Northern Territory's correctional service system. I would want to ensure that, if we are to lease or sell the property to the Commonwealth, all the costs are covered and there is replacement of property because we certainly will want to continue a prison farm. It would be made available at no cost to Territory taxpayers. Thus, we would be able to continue the efforts that we have made at Gunn Point.
I understand that we are to receive an approach. At the moment, my department is working with various other government departments in the Territory, including the Treasury, to determine exactly what the cost to Northern Territory taxpayers would be in the event of our leasing a facility such as Gunn Point. I await with interest any approach from the Commonwealth authorities.
Page 442
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for her question. At the outset, I must say there is no status to any proposed changes at Gunn Point Prison Farm. I say that basically because the Northern Territory government has yet to receive any official approach from any federal ministers indicating that they wish to buy, rent, lease or sub-lease the property known as
Page 441
Gunn Point Prison Farm. Obviously, there is considerable interest at the federal level in the conversion of Gunn Point Prison Farm to a detention centre. However, I reiterate that we have received no official approach. Late in November, an officer from the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs came to the Northern Territory and was given the opportunity to view the facilities at Gunn Point. That confirmed the interest of the department at that point, as it had already had the opportunity to inspect the facility at a local level.
We have received no official approaches as yet. Despite the fact that it is a source of great interest in the media and there has been a fair amount of comment, the Northern Territory Cabinet has yet to consider whether or not the government would allow the federal authorities to lease or buy Gunn Point Prison Farm. My attitude is very much one of open approachability. I await with interest any offer from the federal government to lease the property. There are a number of questions to be answered. One of them, and not the least, is the question of having people who possibly have a malarial infection in an area such as Gunn Point where there are some mosquitoes. The Northern Territory government certainly would want to see such matters addressed prior to making any commitment.
The Northern Territory government also has a commitment to the taxpayers. We will not do anything that financially disadvantages the Northern Territory government and taxpayers to facilitate anything ...
Mr Bailey: In general or just at Gunn Point?
Mr POOLE: No. That is a general principle obviously but, most specifically, at Gunn Point.
There are also social factors to be considered, not the least of which is that we have a high percentage of Aboriginal prisoners in the Northern Territory's correctional service system. I would want to ensure that, if we are to lease or sell the property to the Commonwealth, all the costs are covered and there is replacement of property because we certainly will want to continue a prison farm. It would be made available at no cost to Territory taxpayers. Thus, we would be able to continue the efforts that we have made at Gunn Point.
I understand that we are to receive an approach. At the moment, my department is working with various other government departments in the Territory, including the Treasury, to determine exactly what the cost to Northern Territory taxpayers would be in the event of our leasing a facility such as Gunn Point. I await with interest any approach from the Commonwealth authorities.
Page 442
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016