WA plans to convert Bullsbrook quarantine centre into a prison remain live

Feasibility Study and Government Stance on Bullsbrook

In June, former Corrective Services minister Paul Papalia revealed that the Department of Justice had begun a feasibility study to assess the site as a jail. Standing alongside new Corrective Services Minister Tony Buti on Wednesday, Commissioner Royce expressed his interest in acquiring the space. In my role, I’m always looking for opportunities for more space, Royce said. The Bullsbrook site, the Resilience Centre, is actually a Commonwealth asset, so at this stage, it’s not for me. If it gets to a point where that’s available, then yes, I will be interested. When asked whether the Western Australian government was still actively pursuing the site, Buti replied that nothing was off the cards. As the commissioner said, if that becomes available, it’s Commonwealth property at the moment, we’ll look at it, Buti said. If we come to a solution, and we do have an announcement to make, I’m sure we’ll let you know.

Community Backlash and Political Opposition

The proposal has sparked intense controversy among local residents. In August, a petition containing 165 signatures was tabled in Parliament urging the Cook Government to not proceed with the facility. The Bullsbrook facility was originally intended to quarantine returning travellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It saw its first intended quarantine use this year, housing six Australian and New Zealand passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship following a hantavirus outbreak. Shadow corrective services minister Adam Hort criticized the government’s approach, arguing that the consideration of Bullsbrook stems from poor long-term planning. Western Australians should not be paying top dollar to patch up a facility that was never built to be a prison, when what WA needs is properly planned, fit-for-purpose prison infrastructure, Hort said. He added that the state was already spending $217.5 million on the Burswood race track, and that retrofitting Bullsbrook would demand millions more that could instead fund proper, long term expansion of the prison estate.

Overcrowding Pressures Across Western Australia Prisons

The state’s prison system continues to face severe overcrowding and administrative scrutiny. In June, Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan issued a show-cause notice covering Hakea, Casuarina, and Melaleuca prisons. It marked the first time such a notice had been issued for three prisons at once. Intense population pressures have forced some institutions to triple-bunk inmates, raising alarms from the prison officers union that the state’s prison system is a tinderbox. Alongside potential options like Bullsbrook, the state government is proceeding with plans to expand Acacia Prison by 480 beds by 2029 and is currently constructing a new youth detention centre. It’s no secret that our prison system is under stress, Buti acknowledged. We’re working very carefully, closely with Commissioner Royce and the department to look at what we need. Royce noted that while he continuously requests additional remand capacity, bigger prison infrastructure projects are unlikely to occur until the next decade. During the same briefing, Buti and Royce announced a separate $100 million initiative to start a new court security arrangement to address regional court closures, deploying 127 full-time staff under the Sheriff’s Office to free up 45,000 police hours.