For more than a year, the Liberals and Nationals have condemned the Allan Labor Government for wasting $36 million a year to keep empty prison cells air conditioned.
Western Plains Prison was built at a cost of $1.1 billion to house more than 1200 prisoners. Other than the requirement to relocate prisoners during recent fires in Beaufort to protect staff and inmates, the $1.1 billion facility has sat empty.
In the two most recent Public and Accounts Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings it was highlighted that $36 million was spent on operational costs to maintain the empty facility at a time crime continues to increase, Victoria suffers a police shortage and Labor continue to cut crime prevention programs.
Finally, the Allan Labor Government has conceded the prison must open and operate to stop pouring millions of dollars down the drain that could be used to keep Victorians safe.
