Victorian Labor proposes using prisoners to carry out basic road maintenance in an effort to improve the condition of the state’s roads if re-elected. The plan is part of a broader strategy aimed at repairing crumbling highways and reducing potholes.
The government is expected to outline details as part of announcements around funding and timelines. The Guardian reports the premier, Ben Carroll, will set out the approach after the state announces an additional $352 million for road maintenance. The stated goal is to fix about 500,000 potholes by the end of January, with a focus on shifting routine tasks to inmates so that skilled crews can concentrate on higher-priority repairs.
ABC Australia similarly describes Labor’s intention to put prisoners to work on road maintenance as part of its campaign for the November election. Together, the reporting indicates the policy would be implemented only if Labor wins office and that it is presented as a way to expand the workforce and speed up maintenance outcomes amid existing road deterioration.
