Campaign Wins
Respect the Risk was launched in 2010 with recognition of the fact that WA’s prisons have reached breaking point.
Working as a Prison Officer is not an easy job.
Every day Prison Officers face the sort of risks at work that most Australians would not even contemplate – abuse, stress and violence.
A Fair Wages Outcome for Prison Officers
The WA Prison Officers Union negotiated a successful Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for WA’s prison officers in 2010.
Prison Officers deserve a fair wages and should not have to trade off hard-won rights – such as the right to be involved in staffing rosters, and the right to have a say in safe staffing levels – in order to get a fair EBA agreement from the West Australian Government.
Eastern Goldfields Prison remains in the public sector
In 2010 the WA Premier Colin Bennett promised that operational staff Eastern Goldfields prison would remain working under the public sector system.
Prior to our campaigning efforts the staff at Eastern Goldfields prison were working under the looming threat of being forced to work under a under a private system for a big multinational company which would be running the prison for a profit.
The privatisation of any prison service poses a risk.
Experience around the globe shows that when prison services are privatised, then jobs are cut in order to maximise profits for the company and its shareholders.
This inevitably means that security is cut, safe staffing levels are reduced, and rehabilitation programs are cut as private companies attempt to drive profits.
Our justice system should not be run by big, multinational companies for profit.
To Respect the Risk
More than 20 MPs have agreed to Respect the Risk by signing the Pledge. They are:
1. Paul Papalia – Member for Warnboro, Shadow Minister for Local Government & Corrective Services
2. Eric Ripper – Member for Belmont and Opposition Leader of the ALP
3. Janine Freeman – Member for Nollamara
4. Roger Cook – Member for Kwinana and Shadow Minister for Health (shown right)
5. John Kobelke – Member for Balcatta
6. Hon Alison Xamon – Member for the East Metropolitan Region
7. Louise Durack – Labor candidate for the Federal seat of Stirling
8. Chris Tallentire – Member for Gosnells
9. Andrew Waddell – Member for Forrestfield
10. Tony O’Gorman – Member for Joondalup
11. Peter Watson – Member for Albany
12. Melissa Parke – Federal Member for Freemantle (shown right)
13. Peter Tinley – Member for Willagee (shown right)
14. Giz Watson – Member for the North Metropolitan Region
15. John Hyde – Member for Perth (shown right)
16. Hon. Sue Ellery – Member for the South Metropolitan
17. Alannah MacTiernan – former State Member for Armadale and Federal Candidate for Canning
18. Vince Catania – MLA for the North West Coastal Region
19. Mick Murray – Member for Collie-Preston
20. Sharryn Jackson – Labor Member for Hasluck (shown right)
21. Bill Ledbetter – Labor Candidate for the Seat of Pearce
22. Rita Saffioti – Member for West Swan
If your MP isn’t listed here – you can download the brochure with the Pledge inside, take it in, and ask that they sign on!
