Federal Budget a missed opportunity for national leadership on youth justice

The 2025-26 Federal Budget represents a missed opportunity for the Federal Government to show national leadership on youth justice at a time when many states and territories are shunning the evidence of what works in preventing crime, says Jesuit Social Services.

“We’re deeply concerned about the state of youth justice across Australia. This includes rushed bail reform in Victoria which we fear will sweep more people up into the prison system, the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility in the Northern Territory and the Queensland Government introducing laws that it admits violate the human rights of children and young people,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.

“In our recent Federal pre-Budget submission we highlighted that ongoing failures of these systems cannot be ignored by the Commonwealth, and that we must do better in protecting and promoting the safety and welfare of vulnerable children.

“Given the current state of youth justice systems across the country, we hoped to see the Federal Government implement and resource the recommendations of the National Children’s Commissioner’s Help way earlier! – transforming child justice report. Key recommendations include establishing a National Taskforce for reform, appointing a Federal Cabinet Minister for Children and supporting the implementation of evidence-based solutions such as the Youth Justice Group Conferencing program which we run across Melbourne and the Northern Territory.

“We all want stronger and more cohesive communities, with less crime and fewer victims, and at a time when state and territories are favouring populist tough-on-crime policies over the evidence of what works, national leadership should be paramount.

“The Budget also includes some funding to improve justice system responses to victim survivors of sexual violence, which we welcome.  We’d like to have seen much more focus on preventing violence before it starts, including the collection of more and better data on perpetration of family violence and child sexual abuse, and investment in targeted early intervention programs. It’s disappointing to see no additional funding in this space given men’s violence is rightly acknowledged, including by this Government, as a national crisis.

Jesuit Social Services welcomes some initiatives including investments into public education, an increase to the Medicare levy threshold and bolstering the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

“These sensible investments will assist many. However, billions of dollars in tax cuts, including for high income earners, at the expense of any real measures to support those most on the margins is disappointing. That money would be far better spent raising the rate of Jobseeker to allow recipients to lead dignified lives, something we will continue to advocate for.

“With a Federal Election around the corner, we hope to see both major parties make evidence based commitments to improve the lives of all Australians, including the marginalised people and communities that are most in need of support.”