News
18 October, 2026
Gaol debate ‘deeply disappointing’
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has described the Thursday’s debate over the closure of four Victorian-era wings at the Goulburn Correctional Centre as “deeply disappointing”.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has described Thursday’s debate over the closure of four Victorian-era wings at the Goulburn Correctional Centre as “deeply disappointing”.
The Legislative Assembly debate followed the tabling of a petition containing more than 20,000 people objecting to the closure.
Mrs Tuckerman said the NSW Government had made it “abundantly clear” that it had no intention of re-considering its decision or listening to the community’s concerns.
“A petition signed by more than 20,000 people should have been treated as a serious warning from a community that feels ignored and betrayed,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“Instead, Government speakers largely repeated the same talking points we have heard for months, defending a decision that appears to have been made long before any so-called ‘consultation’ began.”
Mrs Tuckerman said correctional officers and their families, union representatives, local businesses, councillors and residents had all “spoken with one voice” by signing the petition.
But she said the petition had been effectively dismissed and the Government’s response “appears to be that no opinion matters except the party line”.
Mrs Tuckerman said she was particularly disappointed that NSW Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong had again accused her of ‘political point scoring’.
“Standing up for my community is not political point scoring,” the Member for Goulburn said.
“Representing the people who elected me and ensuring their concerns are heard is my job – and I’m not sorry.”
Mrs Tuckerman said the efforts of those people behind the petition had not been wasted.
She said it had put the issue “firmly on the public record” and had exposed “serious questions about the decision-making process”.
She said it had also strengthened her resolve to continue fighting for investment in the Goulburn Correctional Centre and “for local jobs, for transparency and for the respect our community deserves”.
Goulburn-Mulwaree mayor Nina Dillon – who travelled to Sydney for the debate – also expressed her disappointment.
She said the fact Minister Chanthivong left the Chamber immediately after his speech and before debate had concluded “was not well received by our delegation or the people watching online”.
Cr Dillon and deputy mayor Caitlin Flint met with the Minister earlier in the day but Mr Chanthivong had simply repeated his rhetoric that Goulburn would “always be a proud gaol town”.
He was also unable to say what plans would be put in place – if any – for the four maximum-security wings that are now sitting empty.
Cr Dillon said she had asked the Minister why permission had been refused for her to attend a recent open day at the correctional centre on the invitation of Correctional Services staff.
Mr Chanthivong said he had been told the event was for staff and their families and he didn’t want it turned into a political event.
Cr Dillon told the Minister she was “deeply disappointed” but was offered no apology in return.
She has asked the Minister to give permission for her to tour the facility – either with himself or the facility’s Governor – and to provide a written statement as soon as possible outlining the Government’s plans for the empty wings.
To watch the full debate click here https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F9vAG84HR/
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