Werribee MP Tim Pallas has been forced to backtrack on his claim that the Hoppers Lane site earmarked for a youth prison was not on the list of locations considered in the original business case for the facility.
In a statement made in state parliament last night, Mr Pallas retracted the comments he had made earlier that day, when he said the Werribee South site was not on the list of 16 sites considered in the preliminary business case.
“Earlier today in question time, I was asked a question by the member for Malvern regarding the proposed new youth justice centre in Werribee,” he said.
“I was advised that the preferred location was not in the preliminary business case and I subsequently advised the house accordingly.
“I was incorrect.”
His statement follows questioning earlier in the day when Mr Pallas was asked about his prior knowledge of the youth detention centre location.
Mr Pallas said the first he knew of the Werribee South plan was in late January – despite the business case being presented in October last year, with input from the treasury.
He denied that he had any input into the development and oversight of the “preliminary” business case.
“The so-called preliminary business case… it did not include the site proposed in Werribee, it did not include that site.”
