Call for Freedom Centre action

RESIDENTS fighting the presence of a home for ex-offenders at Ellendale have accused the State Government of falling flat on its commitment to rectify the situation.

The Freedom Centre has stirred controversy in the small town since setting up a faithbased rehabilitation home in 2015 for men leaving jail.

The home’s first three residents were convicted child sex offenders which outraged members of the community.

The Government weighed in on the matter after an arson attack on the centre’s property which destroyed one of the resident’s cars.

In January, the Government said the centre was “untenable”, urged the relocation of its residents, and committed to examining “the standards and transparency under which such premises operate”.

But Ellendale Community Committee’s Tony Donaghy said the Government’s response had stalled.

“The Government’s falling very flat on their commitment that they gave in January,” Mr Donaghy said.

“There’s been very little action. In fact it’s gone backwards I dare say. Obviously Elizabeth Coleman [Freedom Centre founder] has no interest in listening to the Government or community’s wishes and is very much just moving ahead with her own agenda.

“And the Government has no interest in legislative reform to govern these sorts of facilities.”

The Government said in a statement: “It is the Government’s intention to meet with the community in the near future to provide an update on the Freedom Centre ... we remain committed to working with all the relevant parties on its relocation.”

The Freedom Centre could not be contacted, but Prisoners Legal Service chairman and Mercury columnist Greg Barns urged the community to move on.

“What Tony Donaghy should focus on is the fact that since the whole time these men have lived in Ellendale there has not been one incident involving a breach of law,” Mr Barns said.

“He should get over it and respect the right of people to live where they want to after they’ve been released subject to any parole conditions.”