Business group may establish ‘federal’ prison in The Centre

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p2224-Dave-BaticBy ERWIN CHLANDA
 
A “Federal Penitentiary” type prison system which Australia currently does not have is among a range of projects which the Alice Springs Major Business Group (ASMBG) is exploring.
 
Its spokesman Dave Batic (pictured) says: “It is currently a State / Territory based system with no national standard between states which we are aware of, for prisoners incarcerated under Commonwealth law.
 
“We have written to the Federal Government with a proposal to review current policy and establish a dedicated ‘national’ correctional facility in Central Australia.
 
“We have arranged to meet with the Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton in Canberra next week.”
 
Mr Batic says the ASMBG was established in June for local major businesses “to have a strong cohesive voice in advising and influencing Government on issues which are important to the immediate and future prosperity of the Alice Springs economy.
 
“Collectively, the ASMBG employs directly and indirectly over 1700 employees in Alice Springs alone and has a turnover of $500m per year.
 
“The group will have the capacity to provide advice and guidance for potential investors and collectively identify potential major projects that are beneficial to the economy through informing and influencing all levels of Government.
 
“We are not a general business reference group. The Alice Springs Major Business Group will involve itself only in those issues the member businesses view as significant for the local economy,” says Mr Batic.
 
 
UPDATE 1pm
 
In reply to questions from the Alice Springs News Online Mr Batic said: “We will make a progress statement during our consultation process with the Commonwealth Government. Our group’s BIO summary and introduction is still being finalised.”
 
He provided the following terms of reference for the Alice Springs Major Business Group:
 
“Government policies and actions have real impacts on business prospects and this is particularly so in a developing economy like the Northern Territory.
 
“The small size of the Alice Springs economy and its remoteness from major Australian centres accentuates the impacts of decisions by the Northern Territory and Federal Governments.
 
“The Alice Springs Major Business Group is comprised of larger Alice Springs businesses and business leaders whose success depends on the prosperity of the Alice Springs and Central Australian economies and community.
 
“We are not dependent on the price of cattle or commodities. Each of the member businesses has a history of investment in Alice Springs and are committed to its future.
 
“The Alice Springs Major Business Group was established for local major businesses to have a strong cohesive voice in advising and influencing Government on issues which are important to the immediate and future prosperity of the Alice Springs economy.
 
“The Group will have the capacity to provide advice and guidance for potential investors and collectively identify potential major projects that are beneficial to the economy through informing and influencing all levels of Government.
 
“We are not a general business reference group. The Alice Springs Major Business Group will involve itself only in those issues the member businesses view as significant for the local economy.”
 

13 COMMENTS

  1. Strewth. A Federal prison in the Alice. The mind boggles. It could be filled immediately with Feddie ratbags and bushrangers for whom warrants are still outstanding from Traeger Park days of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
    I can think of a few lads to be cell block chiefs. And then there are the Eover boys, the Pioneer lads, the Soupies … the place will be chockablock in an eyeblink.
    They will have to throw away the keys.

  2. Put it at Anzac next to the cultural centre and fill it with bankers and insurance executives, on the recommendation of the current Royal commission.
    Great business for the northern end of the mall, where the major business group seems to want to operate.

  3. Is the Alice Springs Major Business Group (ASMBG) looking at a Federal Prison or a Immigration Detention Centre?
    They should be casting their net wider, i.e. Just recently the government (Barnaby!) were looking at decentralising some government departments to regional centres, so for example instead of centralising the Met Bureau in some capital cities why not centralise it here in Alice Springs?

  4. Employment for up to 200 staff to run it, their families, infastructure, employment, local businesses to supply food, and equipment.
    Located 20 to 30km out of town, like the current NT one is, what is there not to like.
    If the Feds are paying, the technology will be pretty good. Go for it.

  5. A prison as a business venture? It would only be a good investment if it has enough clients / customers … i.e. prisoners. But the criminal justice system might be able to help with that.

  6. @ Carly. Your rather crass comment is perhaps better suited to the Twitteratti social comment medium, rather than in this respected cyber news medium?

  7. What is he talking about? Who is this Major Business Group?
    We are already overwhelmed with our own NT prisoners, now they want to go Federal?
    ASMBG is a pie in the sky like the HUGE roundabout of Lovegrove Drive.

  8. @ Maya: The Lovegrove roundabout is a brilliant piece of infrastructure that caters for vehicles of all sizes. It has to be the size it is and I am sure it has saved a fatality or serious injury since being built. That corner is now safe and free flowing. Thanks Adam.

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