Thursday, 22 February 2024

Youth justice system

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:26): (436) My question is for the Minister for Youth Justice. Recently the Shadow Minister for Youth Justice requested in a freedom-of-information request a copy of a document outlining the number of times Victoria Police were required to respond to an incident in Malmsbury and Parkville between October and December 2022. A startling response was received, which was:

Youth justice has advised that the information requested is not collected.

Minister, why is this information not collected?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:27): I thank Mr Mulholland for his question and his interest in our youth justice system. Our youth justice system is designed to give young people the best chance to turn their lives around, and we take our responsibilities very seriously because not only do our youth justice workers play a vital role in ensuring that all Victorians are kept safe – a vital role within our justice framework – but they also provide an opportunity for these young people to address their offending behaviour. In relation to incidents that may take place at our prisons, in our facilities, that is all publicly available. Look at the website and you will find it.

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:27): Minister, what advice have you received from Victoria Police about incidents they attend at youth justice facilities throughout Victoria?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:28): Thank you, Mr Mulholland, for your supplementary question and your interest in our youth justice system. As I have stated, our youth justice system is designed to give young people the best chance to turn their lives around. From time to time there are incidents and some of that offending behaviour is not able to be addressed. Where there is an incident and it is a serious incident, police are notified and police come out and conduct independent investigations. As Minister for Youth Justice, I would not get involved in relation to the work of Victoria Police. I want to thank them for their assistance with our youth justice team.