Latest Central Australian justice reinvestment program partner announced by federal government

The federal government is backing a community-led crime and diversion program in the Red Centre, which one minister says is a ‘local solution’ to the Red Centre’s crime ‘drivers’.

Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A community-led crime prevention and diversion program – also featuring drug counselling – has gained federal government backing to provide a “local solution” to the Red Centre’s crime “drivers”, one minister says.

The Albanese government has announced the Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) is the second initiative funded under the federal government’s justice reinvestment in Central Australia program.

Federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the initiative, announced on Friday, was developed by the community and First Nations people.

Federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy in Alice Springs in April. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“This initiative will have a positive impact for people in and around Mpartntwe (Alice Springs) through targeted support to the communities of Nyirripi, Willowra, Yuendumu and Outstations,” she said.

“It provides a local solution to address the drivers of contact with the criminal justice system.”

Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said reducing the rate of incarceration among Australia’s first population “can only be achieved through initiatives led by First Nations communities”.

“These local solutions will deliver real and lasting change, and I am committed as Attorney-General to the continued success of the government’s justice reinvestment programs,” she said.

Crime has long been an issue in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“A rigorous assessment process” by an independent panel led to CAYLUS being chosen under the program.

CAYLUS is the second provider chosen under the program; with the federal government previously committing $69 million over four years, beginning in the 2022-23 financial year, to support up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives under the National Justice Reinvestment Program with ongoing funding of $20 million per year from 2026–27.

In the 2023–24 Budget, the Albanese Government committed an additional $10 million over four years to support place-based justice reinvestment partnerships in Central Australia, under the $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.

Originally published as Latest Central Australian justice reinvestment program partner announced by federal government