Youth Aboriginal Community Court

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:49): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister inform the council about the recent launch he attended—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Start again, please, the Hon. Mr Wortley. I couldn't hear.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister inform the council about the recent launch he attended of the Youth Aboriginal Community Court?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:49): I will be most happy to do so. I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in achieving better outcomes for young Aboriginal people. As many would be aware, Aboriginal people continue to be vastly over-represented when it comes to interactions with the criminal justice system.

While First Nations people account for about 2.4 per cent of our total South Australian population, they account for nearly a quarter of the state's adult prison population and approximately half of all young people in detention. In 2022, Aboriginal children were imprisoned at 18 times the rate of non-Aboriginal children. I don't think anyone would argue that these statistics are distressing and should not be brushed aside and acted upon.

That's why I am pleased to have been able to commit just over $700,000 in funds for a two-year trial of the Youth Aboriginal Community Court. I was pleased recently to attend the official launch of the Youth Aboriginal Community Court before the program commences in just a few weeks' time. It was great to see members of this chamber here, including the Hon. Robert Simms and the Hon. Connie Bonaros, at the launch of the youth court to mark the occasion.

The culturally responsive program will aim to disrupt escalation points in a young person's offending, addressing trauma and criminogenic needs, and implement protective factors and aim to divert younger people from further offending. Eligible Aboriginal and young people will receive support from external service providers and have regular check-ins with the Youth Aboriginal Community Court, including with Aboriginal elders at informal court sittings. Sentencing is delayed while this support and relevant treatment is provided, with their progress then being able to be considered as part of the eventual sentencing process.

The trial responds to recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal Peoples in South Australia, which highlighted that the number of Aboriginal community courts ought to be expanded in order to increase participation of Aboriginal people in culturally responsive court diversion programs. The advisory commission has provided invaluable advice on how to best help with these initiatives in our justice system, and the advisory commission, with the development of the Youth Aboriginal Community Court, demonstrates that when we listen to Aboriginal people about matters that affect their lives, we can often get better outcomes and, in time, solutions for overcoming problems.

Working together on this initiative for the youth court within the Courts Administration Authority have been groups like the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, the Grannies Group, the Adelaide Men's Group and other elders and respected persons. I look forward to seeing the work of the Youth Aboriginal Community Court and what it does for Aboriginal people in this state.