Police in riot gear at the Metropolitan Remand Centre.
Camera IconPolice in riot gear at the Metropolitan Remand Centre. Credit: News Corp Australia, Norm Oorloff

Legal defence over Metropolitan Remand Centre riot charges costs $155,000 despite guilty plea

David HurleyHerald Sun

TAXPAYERS have forked out more than $155,000 for the state government’s legal defence of workplace safety charges over Victoria’s worst prison riot at the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravenhall — even though a plea of guilty was eventually entered.

Earlier this month, the Herald Sun revealed the state government had pleaded guilty to charges related to the June 2015 riot.

The guilty plea from the Department of Justice to a charge of failing to provide a safe workplace has prompted calls for senior figures at Corrections Victoria management to be held responsible.

A committal hearing scheduled for Melbourne Magistrates’ Court earlier this month was abandoned.

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The riot is already estimated to have cost Victorians more than $100 million.

Mayhem had erupted at the jail after smoking bans were introduced.

Eleven officers hurt when prisoners went on the rampage remain on WorkCover.

Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney confirmed the legal costs to November 14 had run to $156,136.

The riot is already estimated to have cost Victorians more than $100 million.

The Opposition’s corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said: “The cost to taxpayers from the MRC Prison riot that Daniel Andrews failed to prevent continues to grow with revelations he’s spent $156,136 on legal fees alone fighting his own agency, Worksafe.

“The MRC prison riot, the worst in Victoria’s history, has now cost Victorians more than $100 million, or six new police stations.

“Rather than wasting money on expensive lawyers, Daniel Andrews should get his priorities right and focus on helping the injured prison officers, fixing the broken justice system and restoring order to our prisons.”

Originally published as Guilty plea still costs a cool $155k