News
16 May, 2026
Gaol options achievable ‘even for this Government’ says Tuckerman
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has used a Private Members Statement to call on the NSW Government to pursue “practical and achievable options” for the Goulburn Correctional Centre.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has used a Private Members Statement to call on the NSW Government to pursue “practical and achievable options” for the Goulburn Correctional Centre.
Mrs Tuckerman said it would “defy commonsense” for the Government to reduce capacity at a functional, staffed and strategically located regional facility at a time when the corrections system was under increasing pressure without first examining how that capacity could be used.
She said options could include progressively refurbishing the four Victorian-era wings at the centre instead of closing them, investing in new facilities on the existing site, repurposing the wings as a specialist remand centre – particularly for domestic violence offenders whose lengthy remand periods place strain on the wider system – or utilising the site as a Corrective Services training and administration centre.
She said the options were achievable “even for this (Minns) Government”.
As previously reported by The Southern Wire, the NSW Government has announced plans to close all four wings in September and to relocate approximately 170 inmates to modernised facilities.
There is widespread concern in the wider Goulburn community about job losses and the impact of the decision on the regional economy.
The Southern Wire understands the Government may also be looking at potential alternate uses for the gaol to stave off pressure from the influential Public Service Association (PSA) of NSW.
Speaking at a rally in Goulburn late last month, PSA of NSW General Secretary, Stewart Little, gave his “unequivocal commitment” that local correctional workers have the support of members across the state in the fight to save their jobs.
“You have been badly let down by a lack of planning and foresight,” Mr Little said at the rally.
“We will not take this decision without a fight.”
Mrs Tuckerman used her four minutes of time on Wednesday to demand “transparency, consultancy and fairness” for the people of Goulburn and the broader Southern Tablelands.
“This matter is about real people, real jobs and the future of a regional city that has served this state for more than a century.
Mrs Tuckerman said the correctional centre had been “a cornerstone of the NSW correctional system and one of the most significant employers in the Goulburn region since opening in 1884.
Generations of families had depended on the facility for skilled and secure public sector employment.
“To suggest that this history is somehow expendable without transparent evidence or community engagement is deeply concerning.”
Mrs Tuckerman said Government assurances that there would be no job losses or forced redundancies because of the decision did not reflect the “lived reality” of correctional officers and their families.
“I have correspondence in my Inbox from the Department (of Corrective Services) detailing that there are jobs on the chopping block and that the Department is gauging preferences for relocations.”
Mrs Tuckerman said despite the Minns Government’s “verbal gymnastics” on the issue, the reduction in capacity would inevitably mean fewer shifts, reduced overtime and declining take-home pay.
“For a workforce already under pressure, this creates real financial and emotional stress – particularly at a time when cost of living pressures are at an historic high.
“A job in name only is not job security.”
Mrs Tuckerman said Parliament also needed to consider the “broader economic impact” of such a decision.
“Goulburn is a regional city, (and) large public institutions matter disproportionately in regional economies,” she said.
“The gaol supports not just correctional officers but local businesses, schools, community organisations and volunteer networks.
“When a major employer is run down, the consequences are felt well beyond.”
Mrs Tuckerman’s comments are based around an ePetition that needs 20,000 signatures before it can be presented to Parliament.
The ePetition – which had been signed by just over 5000 people late Friday – closes on July 27 this year.
Mrs Tuckerman said the ePetition asked “quite reasonably” for an immediate pause to the proposed closures to allow for meaningful consultation.
“It asks for transparency – specifically the release of data, modelling and justification underpinning this decision”.
Mrs Tuckerman said consultation needed to be genuine.
“It must involve staff, unions, the local community, council and local Member of Parliament.”
She said consultation conducted after a decision had been made was not actually consultation – “it’s a notification”.
“Finally, this matter speaks to the broader principle of fairness for regional communities,” Mrs Tuckerman told Parliament.
“Goulburn shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought.
“Regional NSW deserves regional investment in essential public infrastructure – not gradual withdrawal,” she said.
“The people of Goulburn are not asking for special treatment – they are asking for accountability, honesty and respect from their government.”
- Those people wanting to sign the ePetition can do so by visiting the link below:
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