Ms ROSOL – Minister, you’ve mentioned multiple times that 257 correctional officers have been employed since 2020, which is five years now, so quite a long period. We know at the same time that the government are working to cut 2800 jobs in the public service. Could you please outline how many jobs have been cut within Corrections and Rehabilitation in the last 12 months, and then how many you plan to cut as part of the public service sector job cuts?
Mr BARNETT – Thanks very much for the question. I can’t pre‑empt the May budget or any future budgets, but I can speak to the Budget that’s before us, and the secretary can assist me shortly in that regard. Obviously, in terms of frontline staff and those correctional officers that I’ve mentioned, the 257 since 2020, we’re very grateful for their work and that’s clearly a priority that we provide that support. In terms of the numbers, I’d have to refer to the secretary to see if she can assist the honourable member.
Ms BOURNE – Thank you, Deputy Premier, through you. I will just bring up total staff numbers. As of 30 June 2025, there were 466.3 FTE correctional officers, a headcount of 503. From 2014 to 7 November 2025, the TPS recruited 469 correctional officers. During that same period, the TPS has had 228 staff leave due to retirement, transfer to other roles, resignation or termination, which is a net increase in COs of 241 during that period.
Ms ROSOL – Can I just follow up? Have vacancy control measures or budget efficiencies been applied to any positions within Corrections and Rehabilitation?
Ms BOURNE – Through you, Deputy Premier. No. Correctional officers are an essential service and there have been no vacancy controls measures put in place for correctional officers. Obviously, our existing budget efficiency dividend is applied across all outputs of the agency, but that’s being achieved through other means, and not a reduction in correctional officers.
Ms ROSOL – Thanks.
