Thursday 22 June 2023
Youth Custodial Officer members of the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) at Western Australia’s youth custodial estates have welcomed the shift in the Government’s narrative on Banksia Hill Detention Centre to one of workplace health and safety, improved staffing and genuine rehabilitation.
The union is now beginning important consultation with its members to ensure their voices are heard on how changes at Banksia Hill and Unit 18 are rolled out to ensure workplace health and safety and the best possible results for rehabilitation for young detainees.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Rikki Hendon, said she was proud that member-led action and pressure had resulted in union members shifting the Government narrative after over a decade of successive Government failures.
“It is sustained, member-led action and pressure that has contributed to today’s significant shift in the WA Government’s narrative on Banksia Hill Detention Centre and youth justice. After a decade of successive Government failures in youth justice, we are hopeful today is the first step in the right direction on the journey to systemic change.
“Our members have fought to ensure that workplace health and safety is at the core of WA’s youth custodial estates. A safe Centre means better outcomes for staff, better outcomes for detainees and better outcomes for the community.
“Union officials will be meeting with YCO union delegates tomorrow to discuss the announced changes, to ensure that our members' voices are heard and they are consulted with on all proposed changes to the youth justice system, to ensure it is effective in its rollout and will achieve genuine rehabilitation for young people.
“The union and our delegates look forward to continuing this conversation in genuine collaboration with the new Minister for Corrective Services and the Cook Government.
ENDS
- The CPSU/CSA negotiates and advocates for the pay, conditions and workplace health and safety of around 200 Youth Custodial Officers and other support staff at Western Australia’s youth custodial estates.
- The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general public sector workers including child protection officers, youth custodial officers, park rangers, Perth Zoo veterinary scientists and dental technicians.
For more information or to arrange further comment from Branch Secretary Rikki Hendon, please contact CPSU/CSA Reception on 08 9323 3800 and ask for the Media and Stakeholder Engagement Officer.
