Ms Tierney, who is also Member for Western Victoria, was quizzed about the 20-person ward’s $400,000 per bed, per year cost at budget estimates hearings.

“The total funding for the 20-bed facility is $52.78 million asset, and then there is $32.06m in output. Divided over four years it works out to $400,750 per bed per year,” Ms Tierney told the hearing. 

“This is because the scheme is very comprehensive. It has a range of accommodation options and provides intensive support programs to rehabilitate those serious offenders and reduce their risk.

“This is an investment, after all, in community safety.”

In parliament, shadow corrections minister Edward O'Donohue asked if Ms Tierney could confirm that the new prison beds were the most expensive in Australia.

Ms Tierney’s written reply on notice said the new Ararat ward would not be a prison.

“Both Corella Place and the new Ararat facility are specialist facilities, which provide supervision for our most serious offenders,” Ms Tierney stated.

“The new secure facility forms a key part of the government’s commitment to strengthen the post-sentence supervision and detention scheme and keep the community safe.

“With the changes we are implementing, Victoria will have the most comprehensive post-sentence scheme for serious offenders in the country.

“As such there are no other facilities like the one we are building in Ararat: comparisons between other states simply don’t exist.”

Ms Tierney was also grilled at the hearing over the number of sex offenders absconding from Ararat’s Corella Place post-sentence residential facility.