Thursday, 31 October 2024


Adjournment

Youth crime


Ann-Marie HERMANS

Please do not quote

Proof only

Youth crime

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (21:59): (1250) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Corrections, and the action I seek of the minister is to address the escalating crisis of juvenile crime in Victoria by: (1) implementing comprehensive reforms to the juvenile system, (2) having stricter accountability for jurors and some consistency in the justice system, (3) improving bail laws – we actually need stricter bail laws, and (4) enhancing support and rehabilitation support services. The juvenile crime in Victoria has been exacerbated by this government’s ineptitude and systematic failures within the justice system. This government has failed to develop significant statewide clear consequences for actions with behavioural transformational programs for young people.

In youth work one of the baselines that youth workers use – and I know this from having been one – is consequences for actions. That is one of the things they have to help young people understand. I refer to a recent report by the Community Advocacy Alliance, which is chaired by former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Kel Glare, and has as its patron the well-renowned Francis Galbally, who has had 35 years’ experience in international business and commercial law. The CAA calls what is happening here in Victoria in relation to home burglaries a ‘crime tsunami’, which started a decade ago – of course a decade ago is when Labor formed government here. This shows that this government has failed to proactively address this ever-increasing issue. What is missing in the approach to tackling crime in this state is the lack of effective policies and the lack of an adequate investment in juvenile justice, which has contributed significantly to the severity of the current crime wave.

We hear repeatedly how young people are blatantly flouting laws and are breaking into homes, then stealing people’s possessions, then are caught by the police, charged, and then they are immediately let out on bail only to reoffend. It is a hopeless cycle by a hopeless government. Youth workers and Victoria Police are desperate for the government to introduce laws to protect the public and make young people accountable for their actions. That is the rule for youth work: teaching consequences for actions. A number of issues impacting crime in this state and the justice system, as I mentioned, include the courts, bail laws and support services, and these are ill equipped to handle the rising number of young offenders. This is leading to increased recidivism and community safety concerns. The lack of accountability and consistency among individual jurists within the juvenile justice system undermines the effectiveness of the system and erodes public trust.