Crime in Port Augusta

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing questions to the Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on crime in Port Augusta.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: On 8 March this year, I alerted this council and asked questions regarding reports of escalating crime and antisocial behaviour in Port Augusta. On 24 April 2023, the Attorney-General responded that, in addition to the community outreach program that has been implemented, further youth responses were planned, which included: one, extending the hours of the Port Augusta Youth Centre; two, extending the hours of the youth bus; three, the establishment of a community participation fund to support young people to engage in social activities; four, the establishment of an intensive youth support group for multiagency intensive case management; and five, the youth outreach service, with workers in the community after hours and on weekends. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. Have the further youth responses listed been implemented? If not, why not, and when will they be?

2. For those implemented, what are the up-to-date statistics on success factors?

3. What are the statistics on youth offending in Port Augusta, including how many youths have been charged since 1 January 2023, and what were they charged with?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for her question. In relation to questions that relate to statistics to do with youth crime, I am happy to see if they are available. I am not certain they will be but, to the extent they are, I am happy to provide what I can for the honourable member.

In relation to youth programs in Port Augusta, as I outlined last time the questions were asked, the Minister for Human Services, who is responsible for youth programs, has been doing a lot of work in the Port Augusta region. I know she has spent a fair bit of time as of late in the Port Augusta region and is rolling out programs, so I will be more than happy to ask her the specifics of where the programs the honourable member has referred to are up to.