Research has already been well underway for the bipartisan Youth Justice Reform Parliamentary Committee, as well meetings with those with personal and professional experiences who are determined on seeing resolutions to the trauma being experienced by Queenslanders.
The committee is currently focused on developing its evidence base and identifying potential solutions before consulting more broadly with Queenslanders including travel to regional areas early in 2024. The committee consists of elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from both government and opposition with experience in the police and emergency services, who have worked as public prosecutors, and have long histories of advocating for victims of crime. Their first-hand experiences of the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime themselves, will be a real asset as the committee works to identify concrete solutions to the complex problem of youth crime.
They have been analysing previous reports and recommendations and are currently in the first round of public hearings, and reading many submissions already received.
The committee will also provide greater transparency by publishing materials that have informed its deliberations on the committee webpage for all Queenslanders to read. This will include the publication of Issues Papers which will seek feedback from the community, as well its meeting minutes and transcripts of hearings and briefings.
The other difference is that they can do interim reports back to government including with recommendations if and when required, instead of waiting until completion of the inquiry, which is 12 months away.
In a recent interview with Guardian Australia, Sandy responded that all aspects and avenues that have been put forward including smaller therapeutic style detention, new era ‘boot camps’ or relocation sentencing incorporating expanded On Country programs would all be considered as part of seeking greater safety for communities both now, and into the future. Per our January 2023 Noosa 360 update, as a member of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs and Safety Committee, Sandy travelled across Queensland during previous inquiries into youth justice bills, hearing the firsthand accounts from victims and their families in communities heavily impacted by youth recidivism including Townsville and Mt Isa. However, these previous inquiries had both time and scope restraints, whereas the current terms of reference provides the capacity for this committee to investigate broadly the many aspects being raised including detention options.
As mentioned in our October 2023 Noosa 360 update, submissions can now be made until 12pm, Wednesday 10 January 2024, with a reminder that if you do not want your submission to be published, you can request that the committee treat it as confidential. Further information is available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/youthjustice
Live feeds of the Public Hearings are available at https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/committees
Further information
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