Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Youth justice system

Mr CARROLL (Niddrie—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (13:33): Last Thursday, 13 February, I had the great honour to speak at the launch of the new Victorian framework to reduce criminalisation of young people in residential care.

We know that the youngest children in the youth justice system are also more likely to be known to child protection. On average one in every two young people aged 10 to 13 years who are in youth justice were subject to a child protection order. One in three were subject to a child protection order and the same number had experienced out-of-home care. Of these young people who had experienced out-of-home care half had experienced more than five placements, and sadly, we know the trajectories of these young people—the younger you are when you enter the youth justice system, the more likely you will continue your offending and enter the adult system.

Last Thursday’s launch was a very important initiative. I want to thank Muriel Bamblett, the chief executive officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency; the chief executive officer of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Deb Tsorbaris; Liana Buchanan, the principal commissioner for children and young people; Nicole Rich, the executive director, family, youth and children’s law at Victoria Legal Aid; Victoria Police’s Murray Fraser, acting commander, priority communities division; and also the Minister for Child Protection for his leadership.

We know this is the beginning of a major new partnership to stop that trajectory, that pathway of young people in out-of-home care entering the criminal justice system. This will support young people. It will also provide frontline security and support for our wonderful working staff.