GREENS MP WELCOMES ROEBOURNE AIR CON, CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO ACT ON YOUTH JUSTICE

Greens MP Brad Pettitt. CREDIT: Australian Greens

WA Greens MP Brad Pettitt has said he is glad the government has finally committed to installing air conditioning throughout Roebourne Regional Prison, and hopes action to address the youth justice crisis will also follow.

Mr Pettitt said multiple governments had delayed installing air conditioning at the prison.

“I think finally the government’s been dragged, as much as there’s been a bit of kicking and screaming, to the only logical and humane conclusion about getting this air conditioning done,” he said.

Mr Pettitt also said he hoped meaningful action to address the state’s youth justice crisis would occur.

“I need to be really clear around this: what’s happening [at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre] at the moment is untenable, unnaceptable and needs to radically change,” he said.

“Business as usual, as though the government’s already got this, is totally indefensible.

“I really do hope that there is a greater urgency around getting some significant changes in this space.

“A bit like we’ve seen with Roebourne Prison, again we’ve seen the government go slow, kick this can down the road and not give this issue the urgency and attention it needs.”