The Queensland Parliament’s Youth Justice Reform Select Committee has announced a regional hearing for Central Queenslanders in Rockhampton on 27 February 2024.
Committee Chair and Member for Noosa, Ms Sandy Bolton MP said, “the committee is keen to hear what those in Central Queensland think will drive down youth offending in their community and provide better support to victims of crime.”
“Last week, we held the first of our regional hearings in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa in response to the identified priorities so far. The insights shared by witnesses were invaluable for informing the committee about the issues facing these communities, and potential actions to these.
“We know that each community has unique needs and priorities. That’s why it is important the committee seek feedback from a number of regions on these priority areas.”
Ms Bolton said it has been a week of instrumental and vital meetings, public hearings and site visits to watch houses and detention centres across parts of regional Queensland, where the committee learnt much as part of our inquiry into youth justice reform, especially in relation to serious repeat offenders.
“As one witness said, there is no one silver bullet, it will take silver ‘buckshot’ to reduce this recidivism and its contributors of households impacted by alcoholism, domestic violence and mental illness, school absenteeism, lack of access to mental and physical health services, as well pathways when exiting detention.
“Also consistent in submissions and hearings has been issues around securing and retaining staff in the regions and that solutions need to be ‘community led’ and ‘place based’.
“If you would like to speak to the committee in Rockhampton in addition to a submission, please register your interest on the committee’s webpage as soon as possible.”
The priority areas identified by the committee so far include:
• improving support for victims of crime and confidence in the youth justice system
• the operation of the Youth Justice Act 1992
• the need for a long-term youth justice strategy
• better early assessment, intervention and prevention
• improving young people’s engagement with therapeutic programs, and supporting their transition from detention back into the community
• re-imagining youth justice infrastructure.
The committee has agreed to table an interim report in late March and is calling for submissions to inform this report until 10.00am 1 March 2024. Submissions can be made via the committee’s webpage, below.
The committee will also hold hearings in Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in February.
Details of all the hearings are available on the inquiry webpage: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/youthjustice.
