Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today attended a Together Union rally in Townsville to protest against the privatisation of the prison system in Queensland and is advocating for prisons to be federally controlled as the State Government launches a campaign to undermine the pay and conditions of prison workers.

Mr Katter said that Queensland prison workers are among the worst paid in the country and that a federally run prison system could provide sufficient protection over the rights of employees.

“The changes that the State Government is making to the conditions of Custodial Correctional Officers and other prison service providers are totally unacceptable.

“There is a big, big concern, particularly about the conditions they are trying to take away.

“They are taking away the roster-based work structure and they will dictate where and when the employees will work.

“Even more disappointing is that they are stopping the increments of enterprise bargaining.

“Quite frankly, the 2.2 per cent pay rise over three years they are offering is an absolute joke.

“We will be moving in Parliament for a federal prison system where all crimes will be managed federally and where the workers can take solace in receiving their entitlement for a fair award wage and conditions.”

Mr Katter said, “Heaven only knows what will happen if they privatise.

“Privatising prisons is a classic oxymoron and contradiction in terms; a prison becomes a financial agreement, not a legal enforcement.

“These are the actions of really dangerous fundamentalists. They would be more at home in some far-flung country were fundamentalism and extremism is expected.

“The costs will go up with privatisation. In 2012 it cost $105,000 a year to keep a prisoner in Queensland and under privatisation, that figure will likely double.”

Mr Katter said, “This rally today is about sending a clear message to the State Government that the community and working force will stand united and will fight them all the way, as will I in Canberra”.

Mr Katter has commenced drafting legislation that will see that all prisoners charged with federal offences go into federal incarceration.