Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:53): (1910) My question is to the Minister for Youth Justice. I recently visited St Arnaud and met with locals. We spoke at length about the significant challenges facing the community, particularly when young people turn to crime. I want to acknowledge Dusty McIntyre, an extremely intelligent young lady who conveyed in great detail the difficulties that locals experience with both clarity and maturity beyond her years: anti-social behaviour, illicit drug taking leading to drug dependency, burglary and theft, coupled with a lack of supports and diversion programs in place. To access many services, people have to travel to Bendigo or Ballarat. Some of those are very difficult to access for some people. Minister, will you investigate place-based localised solutions to youth crime, particularly for my constituents in St Arnaud, to ensure youth crime is prevented at every possible point?