Youth justice system
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:07): (1110) My question is for the Minister for Corrections. On page 16 of this government’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020–2030, the very first principle of this plan states that the government:
Recognises that children and young people must be treated differently to adults and delivers developmentally distinct and appropriate services
My question is: how is the government’s announcement today regarding youth justice consistent with this principle?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:08): I thank Dr Mansfield for her question and her interest in today’s announcement. It was a pleasure to join the Premier and Attorney-General and police minister in making an announcement that victims – we have listened to victims – have said has been long overdue. In terms of the way they affect our youth justice system, I will say that I believe these changes do build on and strengthen the foundation of our Youth Justice Act even further. The Youth Justice Act was the first comprehensive review of the youth justice system in decades. It was long overdue, and we made those changes that were necessary. A foundation of that architecture was recognising that for the majority of young people we do not want them in contact with the criminal justice system. The system is designed around early intervention, around cautions, around diverting young people away from the criminal justice system in the first place, and for the overwhelming majority of young people, that works well. Our unique offender rate in Victoria is relatively stable, but we do know there is an issue with repeat offenders, and that is what today’s announcement was about. The change we are making does make sure that there is a stronger emphasis on community safety. We are announcing what community safety means and making it clear that for serious violent crimes custody is an option. Still, there is a presumption towards minimum intervention being required, which is important in that balance, but that custody is an option.
Jacinta Ermacora: On a point of order, President, I just cannot hear the minister’s answer.
The PRESIDENT: I uphold the point of order. I am struggling a bit as well. Dr Mansfield asked a question. There was a lot of noise from other members drowning out the answer, and I think she is pretty keen to hear the answer.
Enver ERDOGAN: As I was saying, this is a very targeted reform to the most violent, brazen incidents we have been witnessing in our state. I commend the Attorney-General and the Minister for Police for the work they have done to bring these reforms to the public eye. Obviously we will have an opportunity to debate them in this chamber shortly. But this is what the circumstances require and what the community expects, and so that is what we are doing.
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:10): It is quite an extraordinary answer. I mean, these principles are very clear in this report that took a lot of time and effort to develop. Beyond that first principle that says that children and young people must be treated differently to adults, we can look at, for example, principle 2:
Understands that prevention, diversion and early intervention are the most effective and fiscally responsible ways of reducing youth crime in the long term
I will not read the other principles. There are 10 very good principles in here. Minister, from your response, is it the case that you have abandoned this strategic plan?