Dhurringile Prison, a minimum-security prison that has operated in the local area for nearly 60 years, will close its doors at the end of August.
The closure of the prison will have a significant impact on the local economy, with close to 250 local jobs terminated, including 160 staff on-site at Dhurringile.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said the closure had taken staff by surprise, with many finding out about their termination through media reports.
“Staff at the prison were kept in the dark about the future of the prison, only finding out as news of its closure became public knowledge,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With just eight weeks until the prison closes its doors, there has still been no discussion about the transition process or re-training support for those who lost their jobs.
“The only option provided to staff so far has been to uproot their lives and move across the state to other facilities or find employment in a new industry locally.
“This is simply not enough time for staff to make a transition that will have a major impact on their careers and the livelihoods of their families.”
Ms Cleeland said the decision was yet another example of a “heartless and reckless” management of projects by Labor.
“This was a rushed decision that failed to incorporate the local community and staff at the prison,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Labor cannot manage money, they cannot manage a project, and regional jobs are now in the crosshairs of their dysfunctional management of our state.
“With the Government’s new prison in Lara still non-operational until at least midway through next year, the decision to shut down Dhurringile Prison and leave staff in the dark shows a glaring lack of forward planning and care for employees.
“Labor has failed to provide any insight into what the existing infrastructure will be used for, and how jobs can remain in the local community.”
