News
21 May, 2024
New youth justice peak body established to improve community safety
A new peak body aimed at enhancing community safety and reforming youth justice in Queensland has been established, with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) appointed as its inaugural coordinator.
A new peak body aimed at enhancing community safety and reforming youth justice in Queensland has been established, with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) appointed as its inaugural coordinator.
This initiative comes after an expression of interest process—the first dedicated youth justice body in the state since 2012—and follows recommendations in the Queensland Family and Children's Commission’s 2023 Children’s Rights Report.
The body will work with justice representatives and the state government to inform policy and drive evidence-based strategies for intervention and prevention.
Its priorities include addressing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the youth justice system, supporting the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable youth and their families, and developing a capable, effective youth justice workforce.
The new entity will also spearhead campaigns aimed at community service providers and groups, while building the capacity of service providers in rural, remote, and culturally diverse communities.
Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said the establishment of a peak body is a critical step in responding to youth offending and its complex causes. “Our government is committed to improving outcomes through enhanced intervention, policy development and targeted support that strengthens community safety,” she said.
Lizzie Adams, chairperson of QATSICPP, emphasised the need to tackle the disproportionate representation of First Nations children in the system, urging all parts of the system to work together on long-term solutions.
CEO Garth Morgan added that understanding the underlying drivers of youth offending is essential to prevent young offenders from becoming repeat offenders, with a focus on alternatives to traditional detention.
The new peak body is set to share information across the sector as part of an ongoing consultation on a dynamic youth justice strategy.
