Victorian prisoners to help fix the state's crumbling roads
Labor would put Victorian prisoners to work on road maintenance as part of its plan to fix the state's crumbling highways, if re-elected in November.
Victorian prisoners would assist in fixing the state's deteriorating roads if the Labor party secures victory in the upcoming election, according to Premier Ben Carroll. The government aims to double the number of potholes repaired to 500,000 this year, with a proposed budget increase of $352 million to achieve this goal by the end of January.
Labor plans to collaborate with Corrections Victoria to implement a pilot program that would employ supervised, minimum-security prisoners for roadside maintenance tasks. These duties may include lawn mowing, weed control, graffiti removal, and litter pickup. The initiative is designed to free up skilled maintenance crews to focus on fixing potholes.
While low-security inmates are already participating in day-release programs for tasks such as gardening and rubbish collection in select parks, Premier Carroll believes that performing outdoor manual labor would be an appropriate addition to the program. He emphasized that the work performed by the inmates would not replace paid positions but would supplement the workforce in areas where there are skill and capacity shortages.
The government intends to bring road maintenance programs back under its direct control, reducing reliance on contracted companies to perform the physical labor. To facilitate this, Labor plans to establish a dedicated website where drivers can report potholes, request repairs, and monitor the progress of the work.
Premier Carroll emphasized that the primary objective of this new approach is to enhance road safety and provide greater transparency in the services offered. He stated that in 2026, it should be easier to identify planned repairs and report road issues promptly.
The opposition has criticized Labor's road maintenance plan, describing it as a "con job." Shadow Roads Minister Danny O'Brien pledged to invest $5 billion to repair and rebuild the state's roads, including patching 1 million potholes, if his party wins the upcoming election.
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