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Support for frontline staff means less crime and fewer victims
This week’s investment of $2.77 million to support the Northern Territory’s frontline workers in child protection, youth justice and domestic violence services will ultimately result in less crime and fewer victims, says Jesuit Social Services. “Our child protection and youth justice workers play vital roles in supporting some of the community’s most marginalized children and…
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Victoria needs evidence-based justice system, not new prison
A new 1,000-plus bed prison for Victoria, plans of which were revealed in the Herald-Sun this week, would be counter-productive to community safety, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely disappointed to learn of plans for another prison in Victoria, after the Victorian Government has already committed money to a new 700-bed prison in…
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Mandatory sentencing laws a step backwards for Victoria
The passing of new laws that will impose mandatory prison sentences on people who assault emergency services workers is a step backwards for Victoria’s criminal justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “We all agree that emergency services workers perform vital services in the community and should be safe at work. Mandatory sentencing is not the…
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Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health will save lives
Jesuit Social Services strongly commends the Victorian Government’s commitment to establish a Royal Commission into Mental Health if re-elected next month. “It is heartening to see the Victorian Government show such strong leadership to tackle another deeply entrenched societal issue, after already completing a groundbreaking Royal Commission into Family Violence,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO…
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Parkville tensions demonstrate the need for skilled and experienced youth justice staff
Victoria’s youth justice system must prioritise keeping children out of detention and intervening early to reconnect young people with school and employment to avoid the sort of incident that occurred at Parkville overnight, says Jesuit Social Services. “An effective youth justice system is one that supports children in the community, only uses detention as a…
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Learnings from New Zealand can inform Australian justice systems
Senior leaders from Jesuit Social Services will next week embark on a study trip to New Zealand to learn more about innovative approaches to dealing with adults and young people who have contact with the criminal justice system. The organisation’s findings and observations will be shared with policy makers and the wider community on their…
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Marginalised jobseekers must be a key focus of Victorian State Budget
The Victorian Government’s 2019/20 State Budget is an opportunity to ensure that jobseekers who face significant barriers to employment aren’t overlooked, says Jesuit Social Services. In its submission to the 2019/20 Victorian State Budget, the organisation calls for expanded investment into Victorian jobs initiatives such as Jobs Bank and Jobs Victoria Employment Network. “For many…
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Incoming Federal Government must ensure no Australian is left behind
Jesuit Social Services congratulates the Coalition on its re-election, and says the returning Federal Government must ensure its policies give all Australians, including those on the margins of society, a chance to flourish. “Prime Minister Morrison talks about Australians ‘getting a go’ and this is needed more now than ever. More than three million Australians…
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Budget investment in community services welcome but more needed for crime prevention
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Victorian State Government’s 2019/20 budget and its significant investments into vital infrastructure projects, schools and hospitals. “The State Government has delivered on many of its election commitments including free dental care for Victorian students and the construction of 1,000 new social housing properties. These investments were welcomed by the community…
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Design of new Darwin youth detention facility critical in supporting safer communities
The design of the new Darwin youth detention facility must be informed by international best practice, to give young people the best chances to get their lives back on track, says Jesuit Social Services. “We welcome the news that a new youth detention facility will be built close to Darwin and Palmerston, in line with…