28 August 2015 – Members of the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives, led by Congressman Niel C. Tupas, Jr. (Fifth District, Iloilo), visited Canberra and Goulburn on August 19. The Congressional delegation composed of Rep. Evelina Escudero (First District, Sorsogon), and Rep. Victoria Isabel G. Noel  (An Waray Partylist), called on Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota in Canberra before proceeding to the Goulburn Correctional Centre maximum security institution for males in Goulburn, New South Wales.  The Canberra and Goulburn legs are part of the Committee on Justice’s Official Visit to Australia to conduct a study on the prison system and inspect the prison facilities in line with the Committee’s oversight functions in the implementation of Republic Act No. 10575, also known as the Bureau of Corrections Modernization Act.  The delegation’s itinerary also included prison visits in Victoria and Sydney, where they were joined by Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariňas (First District, Ilocos Norte).

During the visit to Goulburn Correctional Centre, Mr. John Salway, Manager of Security of the High Risk Management Correctional Centre of Corrective Services NSW, and Mr. Gary McCahon, Goulburn Correctional Centre Director, gave a comprehensive briefing on the operations of the correctional centre before accompanying the group on a guided tour of the Centre’s facilities.  The Centre is the most secure prison within the NSW correctional system.

After the visit, Congressman Tupas expressed his appreciation for a very fruitful visit and his satisfaction over the valuable insights gained on Australia's best practices on jail management.  First Secretary and Consul Jim. B. San Agustin joined the delegation in Goulburn. END