Prison opposers speak out

Photo by Mike Moores

Press, police and residents gather on the Westbury Village Green to protest the State Government’s decision to build the Northern Regional Prison which will be just under 3 kilometres from the unique and historic green space in the heart of the town.

By Sharon Webb

CORRECTIONS MINISTER Elise Archer has confirmed 119 people attended consultation sessions to give their opinions on the prison proposed for Westbury.

But there were more than double that number who turned up at a Saturday anti-prison rally at Westbury on October 25, where State Government members for Lyons MHAs Mark Shelton and John Tucker were booed as they walked on-stage.

The two unsuccessfully tried to explain that they were ‘just here to listen’ as Westbury business owner Liza de Lautour challenged them on the absence of consultation on the prison location.

Since the rally, Ms Archer has said, ‘We recognise the announcement of the preferred site has raised questions in the community and we want to work with them to answer them. The residents and businesses of Meander Valley can be assured we are listening and responding.’

Lyons MHA Guy Barnett was greeted with more respect when he met opponents of the prison at Fitzpatrick’s Inn a week before.

Taking notes, he asked people for reasons for their viewpoints and then listened carefully to the answers.

Christine and Steve Gregory told him they would not have bought the Westbury house and 2.5 acres where they have lived since May if they had known about the prison.

Harvey Gee said the prison’s location ‘next to the largest producer of opioids in the southern hemisphere’ (Tas Alkaloids) was ‘totally incongruous’, and his wife Julie Gee told Mr Barnett, ‘If you cared about the social implications you wouldn’t put the prison near any town!’

She rebuked Mr Barnett over how the government could afford to spend $270m on a prison when the state of funding to health and education was so poor.

Anne Marie Loader told Mr Barnett of her shock at hearing about the prison on the news as she did pilates in her living room.

‘Why hasn’t the State Government considered putting the prison on crown land out in the bush somewhere?’

People also felt disrespected by the consultants tasked with recording their attitudes to the prison. Ms Loader described them as being on a fact-finding mission for the Liberal Government and others spoke of ‘smirking’ consultants ordering them not to be ‘emotional’.

The group of about 20 people vehemently rejected to Mr Barnett’s suggestion of residents and councillors joining a fact-finding mission to mainland prison towns to find out about the impact of a prison on their communities.

‘Don’t waste taxpayers’ money!’ several called out. ‘We just don’t want the prison.’

Two year Westbury resident Henry Loader described himself as a ‘dyed-in-the-wool Liberal supporter’ and said he was disappointed with the government’s secrecy.

‘I believe in open government and freedom of information as much as possible.’ Leo Woods, an AirBnB host in Westbury for three years, questioned the future of tourism businesses in the area.

Throughout the session, Mr Barnett and fellow Lyons MHA Mark Shelton, who arrived late, repeatedly confessed to not knowing answers to questions on why Westbury was chosen, why people had not been consulted and on whether the prison would be privately run.

Finally, asked whether he sat on the fence on the issue, the former Meander Valley mayor Mr Shelton revealed his position: ‘A place that employs 250 people can only be good,’ he said.

‘On the mainland, houses are built up to prison walls and there’s no problem.’ sharon.webb@ meandervalleygazette.com