Crime prevention
Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (10:03): We know that disadvantage is one of the biggest drivers of crime. Whether that is seen in a lack of opportunity, no safe home to live in, addiction or isolation from one’s community, the odds are stacked against many vulnerable people. As the member for Sydenham and the Minister for Youth Justice and Minister for Corrections I am aware of this acutely. Not only does it cost people the opportunity of a great life but it costs government—lives that could be more and funding that could just do more. Just have a read of an article in the Age from January about David Wendon and the positive outcomes from his involvement with the Compass care leavers program run by Anglicare and VincentCare. He discussed how the program saw social workers get involved in his life to make sure he got back on track. He said it made a massive difference in his life, and this was a big step and a massive change in the way government delivers its services.
Investing early is the champion through which the Treasurer’s early intervention framework is being delivered in a coordinated way that we know will make a difference to people’s lives. That is why we have the better connected care program that I am closely working with the Minister for Child Protection and Family Services on. It aims to improve life outcomes for those frequently in need of government services. By working in more coordinated and intensive ways we can improve outcomes for the most vulnerable Victorians who need to use them. Things like personally tailored plans to help people connect and navigate— (Time expired)