Over the last month, Sandy has chaired further Youth Justice Reform Committee Public Hearings in South- East Queensland and Rockhampton. As mentioned in our February 2024 Noosa 3360 update, this has also included another round of submissions which have now closed.
The insights have been invaluable, reiterating common themes, issues, gaps and grief relating to the reality that detention does not deter the specific cohort of repeat offenders cycling through the system.
Like previous hearings, there were impassioned calls to end the ‘politicking’ with concerns raised to Sandy about victims potentially being exploited as part of media grabs, with incorrect information about the hearings being distributed causing unnecessary angst and trauma.
Reiterated multiple times is that a bipartisan agreement is the only way forward, not only with youth crime, in all major issues. Sandy thanks all encountered who had a deep appreciation of the genuine intent the Committee has endeavoured to take forward and who have lent their expertise and experiences. As Sandy has previously stated, the focus is to see an end to victims creating more victims, leading to greater safety for all.
The Committee is now drafting the interim report and recommendations which is due to be completed Thursday 28 March 2024.
Even though submissions have closed, Sandy encourages anyone who would like to add their ‘voice’ to email the Youth Justice Reform Committee with details available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/youthjustice. You can also view previous issue papers and submissions, as well upcoming hearings and more on the above link.
Further information
To subscribe to updates from this committee or any others, please visit www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Visit-and-learn/Have-Your-Say/Subscribe
To view our previous Noosa 360 updates on Crime/ Youth Recidivism, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Crime
For information on Policing in the Noosa State Electorate, please visit our Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/policing-in-noosa-july-2023