Ms ROSOL – I have some questions relating to the mother-baby unit at Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison. The Greens understand that it hasn’t been used by mothers and their babies for large portions of this year. We’ve heard that it’s being used to house women who are not accompanied by babies or children, because there’s so many of them in the prison.
Are you able to confirm that? How many days has the mother-baby unit been utilised for its intended purpose in the last three financial years?
Mr BARNETT – Thank you for the question. It’s obviously a very specific one related to the operations of the prison, so it’s best that I refer that matter to the secretary.
Ms BOURNE – As the member’s indicated, currently infants and toddlers up to the age of two can reside with their mothers in the mother-baby unit, if assessed as safe and as appropriate. There are currently no children residing with their mothers in the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, and there have been no children residing in the women’s estate between 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. I can’t comment specifically on the member’s particular question about what inmates are in there at the moment, but the agency is assessing our mother‑and‑child program, including the age range of children who may reside with their mother. I think we’re very conscious that that may be a factor that’s limiting the availability for mums to make the most of that unit.
Ms ROSOL – Thank you. Have mothers applied to be part of the mother-baby unit, so housed in there, and been rejected at any point because the space has been filled with other women?
Mr BARNETT – We don’t have that information to hand, but we’re more than happy to make inquiries and respond to the honourable member, so we’re happy to take it on notice, through you, Chair.
