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New report highlights urgent need to raise the age of legal responsibility
A new report released by the Sentencing Advisory Council today reveals the unique vulnerabilities of children aged 10 to 13 years who have contact with the child protection and youth justice systems – and adds to the volume of evidence highlighting the need to raise the age of legal responsibility, says Jesuit Social Services. “The…
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More than 100 participants from across the Northern Territory have gathered in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), on the land of the Central Arrernte people, to commit to transformative actions that respond to the climate crisis and create a just and sustainable future for our communities. The Summit was attended by Indigenous community leaders, representatives from Aboriginal…
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The Victorian Government must set public targets to reduce the number of young people in detention, on remand and who re-offend after exiting the youth justice system, in light of a new report that shows an almost doubling of spending on youth detention services over the last four years, says Jesuit Social Services. The annual Report…
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Medevac repeal a shameful day in Australian history
The Federal Government’s repeal of the Medevac laws is a shameful day in Australian history and equates to political point scoring with the lives of vulnerable people, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are deeply dismayed and saddened with the Morrison Government’s repeal of these valuable laws which had rightly put medical decisions in the hands…
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New approaches needed for young adults in the criminal justice system
A new report by the Sentencing Advisory Council highlights that new approaches are needed to work with young adults (aged 18-25) who have contact with the justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “It is clear that the criminal justice system is not adequately responding to the developmental needs of young adults, which are unique in…
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Australian Governments must stop locking up 10-year old children
Australia’s Governments must stop locking up 10-year-old children and raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, says Julie Edwards, CEO of Jesuit Social Services. “It is deeply disappointing that the Council of Attorneys-General has today deferred recommendations relating to the age of criminal responsibility until 2020. This means our states and territories will continue…
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PNG visit affirms need for safe, secure pathways for refugees and people seeking asylum
Seven representatives from the Catholic community in Australia have returned from a visit to Papua New Guinea to listen, pray and express solidarity with people seeking asylum and refugees and gain a better understanding of the human experience and complexities of the situation. The group has affirmed the need for the Medevac provision, which will…
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Joint Statement calling for a just transition to a safe climate future in the Northern Territory
We welcome the Northern Territory Government’s draft Climate Change Response: Towards 2050 as a positive step towards a comprehensive response to the climate crisis facing the Territory, and indeed, the world. As the Government’s draft Response states, the question is no longer, ‘Why should we act on climate change?’ We believe the question must be…