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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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Social security boost welcome; longer-term support needed
The Federal Government’s decision to temporarily boost the Jobseeker Allowance (formerly known as Newstart) and the Youth Allowance Job Seeker payment for six months during the unfolding COVID-19 health crisis is extremely welcome – and demonstrates the need for longer-term solutions to support people on the margins, says Jesuit Social Services. “The COVID-19 crisis has…
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ACT shows the country it is time to #RaiseTheAge
The Australian Capital Territory has paved the way for other states and territories to provide ageappropriate responses to children in trouble, following its Legislative Assembly voting to raise the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. It is the first Australian state or territory to commit to changing its laws to ensure primary…
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Spent conviction reform will support civic participation
The Victorian Government’s introduction of the Spent Convictions Bill 2020 into Victorian Parliament today will ultimately support people to reconnect with the community and reach their full potential, says Jesuit Social Services. “Victoria has been the only jurisdiction in Australia without a spent conviction scheme, so we welcome the introduction of this Bill which will…
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Mental health funding welcome, but more postvention funding needed
The Victorian Government’s $868.6m investment into fixing the state’s mental health system, announced ahead of the Victorian State Budget 2020/21, will improve outcomes for millions of Victorians according to Jesuit Social Services. “The Victorian Government has shown a strong commitment to transforming our mental health system, including the establishment of the Royal Commission which will…
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Youth coalition supports Spent Convictions Scheme
We the undersigned member agencies of Smart Justice for Young People, come together to express our collective support for the scheme proposed in the Spent Convictions Bill. Smart Justice for Young People – a coalition of over 50 social services, health, legal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, youth advocacy organisations and academic experts – has…
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NT youth justice reforms a significant backwards step
The Northern Territory Government’s announcement of a number of legislative changes in relation to the youth justice system are counter-productive, will funnel more children into the detention system, and will not improve community safety, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are very concerned about the measures announced by the Territory Government, including changes to the Bail…
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Time for states to show true leadership and #RaiseTheAge
The Federal Government’s decision to refer decision making about raising the age of criminal responsibility back to states and territories – after years of debate – will condemn more vulnerable children to unnecessary contact with the criminal justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are deeply disappointed that, despite a wealth of evidence from Australia…
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Time is now for all Governments to #RaiseTheAge
Jesuit Social Services has joined more than 75 social services, legal and human rights organisations to call on all levels to Government to stop condemning primary school aged children to prison and to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years as a matter of urgency. “Today we are standing alongside many…
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Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Justice Agreement will improve outcomes, but further work needed
The Northern Territory Government’s landmark Aboriginal Justice Agreement is a significant step towards improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but must be supported by a consistent approach across the justice system to keep young people out of detention, says Jesuit Social Services. The Aboriginal Justice Agreement has been developed in strong…