Personal Explanation

Youth Boot Camp

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (11:08): Having listened very carefully to what has just been said, I am seeking leave to make a personal explanation in order to add to remarks made by me in question time yesterday so as to avoid misleading the house.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: During question time, I was asked about the Reboot Intensive Intervention Trial, commonly known as the Youth Justice Boot Camp Trial, by the member for Morialta. Further to the questions asked yesterday, I would like to update the house on the government's election commitment to trial this program for young people who offend.

I can confirm that the agencies involved in designing the program as part of a multi-agency team included the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (Youth Justice), the Attorney-General's Department, South Australia Police, the Department of State Development (Building Family Opportunities), the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (Change SA), the Department for Education and Child Development, the Courts Administration Authority (Youth Court) and the Operation Flinders Foundation.

On 14 April 2015 a competitive grant process commenced in order to engage an organisation to provide community-based support services for young people who offend. Applications closed on 15 May 2015. On 12 August 2015 I announced that the not-for-profit organisation Helping Young People Achieve was successful and would receive $900,000 over two years to deliver the trial in partnership with Red Cross.

The trial is based at the Adelaide Youth Court and primarily targets 15 to 17 year olds at their second or subsequent offence who are at risk of further offending. Intended outcomes of the trial include reducing offending behaviour and increase positive behaviour by young persons, including engagement in education, training, employment or organised activities, such as sport, performing arts, volunteering or other forms of civic engagement.

The trial has now commenced with two referrals from the Youth Court currently being assessed for suitability. Further to my comments yesterday, I can confirm that the appraisal stage of the trial is still being finalised, and the procurement process for the evaluation is expected to be settled shortly.