With a month remaining before polls open, Jesuit Social Services has released its priorities for youth justice and climate justice ahead of the Northern Territory election.

A detailed election platform released this week outlines four priorities and 12 recommendations to create a fairer, more equal and sustainable future for all Territorians.

“Our election platform supports the calls from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and the community sector, and reflects what we see and hear in the Aboriginal communities we work alongside,” said John Adams, General Manager – Northern Territory at Jesuit Social Services. 

“We are advocating for a humane youth justice system; genuine consultation and partnerships with Aboriginal communities; investing in programs and services that meet the needs of children and families; and urgent action to minimise the harms of climate change.”

Key recommendations include:

  • Commit to raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, in line with United Nations’ recommendations
  • Reinvigorate the bipartisan commitment to fully implementing the Aboriginal Justice Agreement
  • Invest in programs, not prisons, by significantly increasing funding for evidence-based, community safety approaches
  • Commit to long-term justice reinvestment initiatives across the Northern Territory
  • Legislate a Climate Change Act with a specific focus on climate justice and a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

“Whoever wins the election must learn from the past, listen to community and ACCOs, and build on promising practices – the pathway to achieving better outcomes across the board,” Mr Adams said.

“Youth justice has been front and centre leading up to this election, and while more can be done in this area, we believe that other issues in the Territory must be addressed. 

“Responding to climate change is not getting the attention it deserves as a major issue facing the Territory. It is affecting people right here and now, further reinforcing social inequities.

“A lot of this is not new, and we aren’t alone in the change we are calling for – but for too long, systems have been working against people facing generational disadvantage and stopping them from living to their full potential. It is time for change.”

Media enquiries – Kathryn Kernohan, 0409 901 248 or kathryn.kernohan@jss.org.au

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