Children’s courts cut at Ringwood, Sunshine, Werribee, Heidelberg and Frankston despite youth crime spike

The number of children’s courts operating across Melbourne will be slashed in a move that has sparked fears among legal and community groups, as youth crime soars.

The number of Children’s Courts operating across Melbourne will be slashed by more than half despite youth crime surging to a 14 year high.

In a move that has prompted widespread concern among legal and community groups, children’s matters will no longer be heard at Ringwood, Sunshine, Werribee, Heidelberg and Frankston courts.

Instead, criminal and intervention order matters will be spread across just four specialist courts at Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Melbourne and Moorabbin.

The change comes despite latest Crime Statistics Agency data, released last month, showing crimes committed by children aged 10 to 17 rose to their highest level since 2010.

The number of Children’s Courts operating across Melbourne will be slashed by more than half despite youth crime surging to a 14-year high. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The surge in youth crime included a 45 per cent increase in robberies committed by children aged between 14 and 17 over the last year, and a 30 per cent spike in car thefts.

The number of aggravated residential burglaries hit 6445 for the year to June compared to 5461 in the previous year.

The Allan government has rejected any suggestion the reduction in court locations was a result of growing financial pressures, or that it would lead to a delay in matters being dealt with.

Concerns about the plan were raised with Liberal MP, Nick McGowan, who represents Melbourne’s eastern region.

“My immediate concern was for the impact it will have on my local community in Ringwood,” he said.

“Why would any government make it harder for justice to be served or place a further barrier in front of victims to access justice.

“For many, this is not just an inconvenience, it may mean justice is never pursued or followed through with, and that means everyone loses.”

A government spokesperson said the move would mean better accountability and oversight of repeat youth offenders as well as quicker resolutions for matters.

Concerns about the plan were raised with Liberal MP, Nick McGowan, who represents Melbourne’s eastern region. Picture: Luis Ascui

It comes amid wider youth justice reforms that will place a greater emphasis on diverting youths away from the court process.

“As part of our work to crack down on serious repeat youth offenders, we announced an additional Magistrate for the Children’s Court to hear these criminal cases, ensuring consistency in hearings and that young people are held to account,” she said.

“This means certain Children’s Court matters will shift to other courts. This change was made by the court.

“These changes are not budget related and there will be no reduction in court staff.”

However Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services chief executive, Amanda Hand, said the change would jeopardise access to effective justice services for many youths.

She said simply travelling further to court hearings would be impossible, with limited transport options available.

“For those families experiencing economic hardship who may or may not have a vehicle the distance to support youth to attend court or to visit whilst on remand is not readily accessible

and the social and emotional wellbeing impacts of unsupported youth are well researched,” she said.

The surge in youth crime included a 45 per cent increase in robberies committed by children aged between 14 and 17 over the past year, and a 30 per cent spike in car thefts. Picture: iStock

Ms Hand said the closure of the Ringwood Children’s Court would see youths from Melbourne’s eastern region remanded in Dandenong with matters heard in Dandenong and the CBD.

“Oonah Health and Community Services along with our fellow Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in the East are not funded to provide supports to our families to travel to Court or to visit our young people on remand and we expect the impact of the closure of the Ringwood Children’s Court to have an immediate impact of requests for supports to transport clients to ensure that meet bail conditions and attend court hearings,” she said.

“All Victorians are entitled to access effective and high-quality legal services and remedies.

“Oonah calls on the Victorian Government to direct Court Services to reinstate the Ringwood Children’s Court to ensure all youth in the Eastern Region have access to Court Services in

a fair and equitable manner in line with the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement.”

Court Services Victoria caseload data shows there are currently 9034 pending children’s court matters, well below pre-Covid level of 11,148.

They include 2449 criminal matters, and 6585 family related matters.

Children’s matters will no longer be heard at Ringwood, Sunshine, Werribee, Heidelberg and Frankston courts. Picture: Diego Fedele

Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said the closures were proof Victoria was broke.

“With Labor ripping $20m from courts in savage budget cuts, it will be victims of youth offending who will be forced to travel further to give evidence as a result of these closures,” he said.

“Women seeking intervention orders to keep them safe will also be forced to the expense and inconvenience of travelling across town for hearings.

“The eastern suburbs of Melbourne now will not have a single accessible Children’s Courts.

“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our justice system and Victorians are paying the price”.