Closing the Gap Annual Report

In reply to Mr TELFER (Flinders) (29 June 2023). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services): The statement relates to data that does not appear in the budget papers. It refers to data published by the Australian Productivity Commission in relation to the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention. The budget papers reflect the number of admissions to Kurlana Tapa, not the rate.

This measure is defined as the average daily number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10-17 in youth detention, out of the overall population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 10-17, presented as a rate per 10,000 for each state and territory.

The latest data published by the Australian Productivity Commission in July 2023, continues to show that South Australia is on track to exceed Closing the Gap target 11, with the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention reducing from 27.4 per 10,000 in 2018-19 to 18.1 per 10,000 in 2021-22, representing a 34 per cent reduction.

While this is a positive achievement, reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in the youth justice system and achieving Closing the Gap outcomes continues to be a primary focus.