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WA prison boss eyes Bullsbrook quarantine centre as potential jail

Corrective Services Commissioner confirms interest in $400m Commonwealth-owned facility to ease prison overcrowding

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
Western Australia's Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce has confirmed he remains interested in converting the Bullsbrook quarantine centre into a prison, telling reporters on Wednesday that 'nothing's off the cards' when it comes to finding extra space for the state's growing inmate population.

Standing alongside new Corrective Services Minister Tony Buti, Royce acknowledged the facility is a Commonwealth asset, adding, 'The Bullsbrook site, the Resilience Centre, is actually a Commonwealth asset, so at this stage, it's not for me.'

But he made clear his ongoing interest: 'In my role, I'm always looking for opportunities for more space.'

Plans to repurpose the centre were first raised in June, when former Corrective Services minister Paul Papalia wrote to nearby Bullsbrook residents revealing the Department of Justice had begun a feasibility study into the facility's suitability as a jail. The study aims to assess whether the centre can help relieve pressure on the state's booming prison population.

The $400 million centre was built by the Commonwealth as a quarantine facility during the COVID-19 pandemic and has seen limited use since. Royce's comments suggest the proposal remains active despite the change in ministerial portfolio.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The facility could provide much-needed bed space for Western Australia's overcrowded prison system, which has been under strain from rising incarceration rates.
  • Converting an existing Commonwealth asset could be faster and cheaper than building a new prison from scratch, potentially saving taxpayers significant sums.
  • The outcome will affect Bullsbrook residents, who have already been consulted once and may face ongoing uncertainty about the centre's future use.

Background

The Bullsbrook Centre for National Resilience was built by the Australian government as a COVID-19 quarantine facility. Since the pandemic emergency ended, its future has been uncertain. In June 2026, the WA government revealed it was studying whether the centre could be turned into a prison to address growing demand for correctional beds. The facility is currently owned and operated by the Commonwealth, meaning any transfer or lease arrangement would require federal approval.

Key Perspectives

WA Corrective Services: The department sees the facility as a potential solution to overcrowding and is actively exploring its suitability. Commissioner Royce has made clear he wants the space if it becomes available. Commonwealth Government: As the owner of the facility, any decision on its future use rests with Canberra. The federal government has not indicated whether it supports a prison conversion. Bullsbrook residents: Local residents were notified of the feasibility study in June and may have concerns about the impact of a prison on their community. Their views are likely to influence political decisions at both state and federal levels.

What to Watch

  • The completion and findings of the Department of Justice feasibility study.
  • Any public statements from the Commonwealth government regarding the future of the Bullsbrook site.
  • Potential community opposition or support as the proposal becomes more widely known.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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