Lotus Glen Correctional Centre

The purchase of the Lotus Glen pastoral station near Mareeba in north Queensland as a prison site became a subject of political controversy in the mid 1980s. In Queensland Parliamentary debates from 1986-1987, opposition members alleged improper political influence in the selection and purchase of the site. Specifically, claims were made that the land was purchased through a National Party member despite more suitable locations reportedly being available closer to Cairns.

Opposition member for Townsville West, Geoff Smith, during parliamentary debates on September 4, 1986, questioned the involvement of a company called Izaria Pty Ltd in the transaction, and suggested there was "heavy political intervention" in the site selection process. When the Premier was asked about the beneficiaries of the company that sold the land, he reportedly denied knowledge of the sale and denied influencing the site selection.

The controversy resurfaced during later parliamentary debates about prison locations in April 1987, where opposition members drew explicit parallels between Lotus Glen and other dubious government land purchases. Local residents were cited as believing there was evidence of political interference, and opposition members suggested this case fit a broader pattern of government land deals that appeared to benefit private interests with political connections. Opposition member Wayne Goss, while criticizing another prison project, described the Lotus Glen situation as part of what he characterized as problematic government procurement practices.

Lotus Glen's "catchment area" for its inmate population includes Cairns, The Cape York Region, The Torres Strait Islands and other isolated communities. The centre has a total capacity of 498 (398 within the secure unit and 100 at the centre's farm). Generally, 60% - 70% of the population of the centre are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.^{[citation needed]}

The centre is used as a remand and reception facility and provides the programs necessary to induct both first time inmates and repeat offenders into the correctional environment. The facility runs work programs in the fields of both farming and industry, providing useful skills to the inmates in preparation for their release.

Facilities are being expanded to house 300 secure cells and 24 low-security farm beds at a cost of A$445 million. The new buildings have been built outside the existing secure area and are expected to be completed by December 2011.^[1]