Aboriginal Youth Justice

347 Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (3 August 2017). How does youth justice include the Aboriginal Community in its decision-making and within its program development?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

The Youth Justice Division in the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion has developed collaborative partnerships with the Aboriginal community and organisations, to ensure the voice of the Aboriginal community is incorporated in decision-making processes. Consultation with key stakeholders occurs on key initiatives, and committees are utilised to provide strategic advice. The Youth Justice Aboriginal Advisory Committee (YJAAC) brings the voice of the Aboriginal community and key partner agencies into decision-making processes within Youth Justice.

An extensive consultation process was undertaken during the development of the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016, including the development of the Youth Justice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principle. This involved key Aboriginal stakeholders, as well as members of the YJAAC and the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movements. The Principle requires that family and community participate in case planning, assessment and decision making for Aboriginal young people.

The Youth Justice Program Strategy Group is responsible for the identification of potential partnerships and collaborative responses for program development, including those to meet the needs of Aboriginal young people. The Youth Justice Program Review Panel assesses all program submissions to ensure the stated goals remain consistent with the Youth Justice Programs Framework. The Strategy Group and the Review Panel include Aboriginal representation.

A Youth Justice Programs Aboriginal Cultural Proficiency Guideline provides information for staff and other program providers about cultural considerations while developing and/or facilitating programs with young people under supervision. It provides the expectation that all program development includes meaningful engagement with the Aboriginal community.

Youth Justice coordinates a statewide community service order program, based on community partnerships, to provide young people with opportunities to complete their community service orders within their local community. The program has a focus on partner organisations which provide skills, personal development opportunities, cultural educational linkages and tangible community outcomes, with ongoing support. For example, the Northern Community Service Order Program has a long established working partnership with Aboriginal Elders and Community Care Services. Elders regularly demonstrate praise and gratitude to the Aboriginal young people in the program, which provides job satisfaction and opportunities to reconnect with Elders in the community in a positive way.