CLP accused of ‘fearmongering’ with proposed new youth justice policy

THE Territory’s criminal law fraternity has slammed the CLP’s newly proposed youth justice reforms, accusing the party of ‘fearmongering’ ahead of the election

Criminal Lawyers Association president Marty Aust has criticised the CLP’s new pruposed youth justice policy recently announced by Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro

THE Territory’s criminal law fraternity has slammed CLP’s newly proposed youth justice reforms, accusing the party of “fearmongering” ahead of the election.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro made a policy announcement on Tuesday that a CLP government would take youth justice out of the hands of Territory Families and have it dealt solely with Corrections.

“Corrections are the department with the experience to ensure that strong management of offenders takes place,” she said.

“It is also a really important step to ensure that Territory Families can focus solely on the work of care and protection of children.”

Criminal Lawyers Association president Marty Aust said he was disheartened to hear the announcement.

“Generally speaking across the past 10 years crime rates in both youth and adult jurisdictions have been steady or reduced,” he said.

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“These issues cannot be resolved overnight. They cannot be resolved by a few strong words aimed at alarming an already misinformed and frightened community that wants a quick fix that is simply not possible.”