NT youth crime: Chief Minister defends new amendments to Youth Justice Regulations 2006
When asked if the new amendments potentially go against international human rights charters – which Australia is a signatory to – the Chief Minister gave a blunt response.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Updated, July 4: The Chief Minister says new reforms which will see young people locked up for more crimes is her government’s way of dealing “with the root causes of crime”.
Speaking at a press conference in Alice Springs on Friday morning, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro defended the proposed amendments to the Youth Justice Regulations 2006.
“Activists and people around the world can make whatever comment they’re like,” she said, when asked if the proposed amendments could potentially go against international guidelines which recommend imprisoning children as a last resort.
“What we’ve seen for a very long time is young people failed to be held accountable for their actions and as a result they feel like they’re above the law.”
Article 37 in the United Nations conventions on the rights of the child said children should only be imprisoned as a “last resort” and “for the shortest time possible”.
Australia is one of the 196 countries which have signed the treaty.
Acting NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the police “welcome this initiative” which has been driven by “grassroots police on the ground” “crying out for stronger measures and options”.
“Our police that are experts that deal with this day in, day out and across the NT have said we need stronger legislation, we need amendments to the Youth Justice Act that’s been listened to,” he said.
Under the new amendments, 13 offences will be added to the prescribed offenders list – which means “police can stop Labor’s catch and release program”.
“So by adding crimes like hit and run, burglary, robbery, break and enter, assaulting police and other workers, stealing motor vehicles to this list, it means police can deliver the consequences we need for young people who continuously do the wrong thing,” she said.
Mrs Finocchiaro did not give a date when the new amendments would come into effect, but spruiked how the amendments would “deal with the root causes of crime,” alongside other measures the government is taking.
“We’re delivering on addressing those root causes of crime through programs like Circuit Breaker, which are meaningfully engaging with young people, getting to the bottom of why they’re committing crimes in the first place, and making sure all of their families have a role and a responsibility to be supporting their young persons,” she said.
NT Parliament is next scheduled to sit for three days, starting July 29.
NT to get youth crime crackdown
Initial: Young crims thumbing their noses at the law are going to find it tougher to dodge being locked up, with the CLP expanding the list of serious offences that are ineligible for youth diversion.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said an additional 13 serious offences would now be prescribed, meaning offenders who commit them will no longer get the benefit from Labor’s previous catch and release scheme.
The regulation changes were announced by the Chief Minister in Alice Springs on Friday and follows continued community anger over ongoing lawless behaviour of young teens and juveniles, who have used stolen cars to ram police, carried out home invasions and assaulted women.
As recently as Tuesday police dodged injury when their vehicle suffered significant damage in a ramming incident.
On the same day in Alice Springs offenders allegedly armed with an edged weapon and a shovel broke into the home of a 72-year-old man, robbing him of his keys and wallet.
In Katherine three hooded home invaders armed with edged weapons and an axe terrorised a married couple
Under the new changes, offences including serious harm offending, hit and runs, driving stolen vehicles, assaults on frontline workers and break-ins will now have a default position of proceeding to charge.
Mrs Finocchiaro said the new measures would ensure serious young offenders faced real consequences and help to restore community safety.
She said the days of police being a taxi service for youth offenders and dropping them home were over.
“For too long, Labor oversaw a system that allowed young offenders to avoid consequences and reoffend days or even hours later putting the community and the frontline at further risk,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“Labor put the rights of offenders over their victims and the community and that ends under my government.
“Police maintain the discretion to divert a young person in exceptional circumstances, but the default will be to charge offenders who put the community at risk.
“Today’s changes were asked for by the NT Police who are sick and tired of Labor’s weak-kneed approach to law and order.
The Chief Minister said the message was clear: “the CLP Government will not tolerate repeat offenders and their apologists putting community safety last”.
“Community safety remains our number one priority,” she said.
“We’re giving police the tools they need as we continue to roll out reforms aimed at reducing crime.
“That’s why we’ve invested $1.5 billion in police, courts and corrections – the largest law and order funding in Territory history – alongside significant investments tackling the root causes of crime.
“We are delivering a safer Territory and making sure victims, and the community can have confidence that the system is working.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NT youth crime: Chief Minister defends new amendments to Youth Justice Regulations 2006
Join the conversation
‘Win-win’ agreement signed between NT and international neighbour
The NT government has firmed up its relations with the Territory’s closest international neighbour through a new health partnership. Read the details.
Read more
NT’s best get the chance to take on Australian rising star
Darwinites will get to test their abilities against one of the best in the country with an Australian Jackaroo set to take on the Darwin Bowls Club Carnival.
Read more