Estimates - Attorney-General - Risdon Prison

Ms BURNET - The Budget reannounces funding for the new maximum-security unit at Risdon and the new Burnie court complex, which is much needed. Given that the maximum security unit at Risdon was originally promised by this government years ago and has been plagued by severe timeline delays, can you tell Tasmanians exactly how much of this new resourcing is actually just rolled-over funding to cover cost overruns on stalled projects? 

Mr BARNETT - Thanks very much for the question because it goes directly to the government's plans for a new maximum-security facility, Correa. We do need a multi-faceted approach. In terms of our plans for the Correa Unit, that's to accommodate up to 50 prisoners, as well as a dedicated drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit to help prisoners tackle drug and alcohol addictions.

Of course, this will not occur under any Greens alternative budget because that's publicly announced as that'll be wiped from their plans. I don't know where those maximum security people will go, whether they're on the street or somewhere else. In terms of the progress, I'm pleased with the progress. I will ask the deputy secretary to provide a further update on that progress.

You've made mention of the Burnie Court Complex which, of course, is another matter. But I'm also pleased to advise that we're very pleased with the progress on the Burnie Court Complex and can advise that Fairbrother has just been appointed the builder to progress with that facility. It's no longer fit for purpose, the Burnie Court. It needs significant improvement and we're going to deliver on that. It'll be a justice hub for the north-west coast, for Burnie. Early works on the site have already been completed. I thank Batchelor Construction Group for doing that work.

The new courts will have two Magistrates Courts, also a Supreme Court and a multipurpose additional court. We're working with the federal government with respect to the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and their use of that. I've had correspondence and discussions with the federal Attorney-General. They have not been settled.

So, I just wanted to make it clear, in terms of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, they are in discussions with my department, and that's for a contribution of up to $1 million towards the fit-out of dedicated space within the complex. I'll continue to advocate for the settlement of that commitment as soon as possible. So, the completion date is currently expected to be in early 2028.

CHAIR - I do believe the question is relevant. I draw the minister to being relevant to the question asked by the Deputy Speaker. 

Mr BARNETT - Yeah, look, I was asked specifically about the career unit at the Risdon complex, maximum security. I was asked about the Burnie Court Complex. 

CHAIR - Correct. 

Mr BARNETT - I've nearly completed my answer, but to assist the honourable member - because I think I was very and directly relevant in both cases, which is entirely relevant to this portfolio, Justice and Corrections and Rehabilitation. To add to the answer, I'll ask the deputy secretary to assist the honourable member. 

Mr SHEPHERD - Through you, deputy: I guess the response I'd give is that for all of these sorts of complex infrastructure projects, they actually take longer than people might appreciate, and so the funding will always be rolled over between years. There's no budget blowout for the Correa Unit. The project was originally funded through a $50 million allocation - $38 million of that was dedicated to this part of that funding, and we've topped that up with another $7.9 million that came out of the Risdon Prison construction program, which was another $20 million allocated by the government in another budget.

So, we've got $45.9 million now available for that project. The other thing that I would really like the committee to note is that building this particular unit will require us to construct within a live maximum security prison precinct. So, I wouldn't want to underestimate the planning that needs to go into getting that right, and we absolutely need to take the appropriate amount of time, so that we do get that right, so that we can be confident that the safety and security of the prison is not being compromised as a result of where we're wanting to build it.

But the location that we've chosen is absolutely the place where it needs to go, because it allows us to connect into all of the existing infrastructure and utilise all of the other services that currently exist within inside the Risdon Prison complex. Which means that's the most cost-effective process for us to use. So again, appreciate that people sometimes think these things can happen relatively quickly, but in my experience, for major infrastructure projects to going through proper planning, all the approvals, go through all the tenders, following all the Treasury instructions, takes a lot longer than people might think. 

Ms BURNET - Thank you for your answer.