Page 5905 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 8 December 2010
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But we are not just looking at Bimberi in isolation as a community. We do need to do more and we can do more to divert young people from the justice system, wherever possible and whenever it is appropriate to do so. Institutional care should be a last resort. Indeed, in the ACT the majority of juvenile offenders are already supervised in community-based services rather than in detention centres. The ACT has the second highest proportion of juvenile offenders in community-based supervision, at 89 per cent, as at 30 June 2009, with a national figure of 85.
The government has recently embarked on some detailed policy work into youth justice at the systemic level, with a particular focus on the needs of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans. Conversations have begun across government on how the connections and transitions between parts of the system, including connections and transitions to the adult corrections system, can be improved to reduce recidivism and to improve rehabilitation.
I believe that much of the work that is set out in the amendments that I understand Ms Hunter proposes is already in train through actions initiated and instigated by the minister, Joy Burch. I think it is unfortunate but, in the circumstance of Mrs Dunne’s motion, it cannot be helped. I am sure that, as we refine the terms of reference of any fresh inquiry, we can ensure that it takes account of the many things that the government is already doing in this space so that we can maximise our efforts and resources rather than duplicate work already underway.
The government is acutely aware and conscious of issues that have arisen at Bimberi and with its management. The government’s determination is to ensure that young people in our care receive all the care, attention, attempts at rehabilitation and opportunities that we would like and expect that all children in our society have and receive. I find it remarkable that members of this place would think or suggest that the ACT government is not striving with all its will, with all its might, through the minister, through management, through staff at Bimberi, to ensure and to put front and centre of all of our considerations the welfare of the people that we care for at Bimberi.
That is a challenge and it is a massive and major challenge. I think we all know in this place, through our experience, that there is no more difficult, confronting, problematic issue for governments and communities to deal with than issues relating to the protection of children. And we do have, in relation to those children that we detain at Bimberi, a group of children with the most complex and challenging needs and behaviours. They represent a significant challenge. The government is doing all within its power, within a human rights framework, to meet those challenges.
It is for that reason that we certainly support an inquiry. We believe it is appropriate and timely. We believe it will allow an opportunity for the issues that are being aired to be thoroughly investigated. I think it is not appropriate that we rely on some of the third-hand statements, some of the hearsay, some of the allegations that those that have had the allegations posed against them have not had an opportunity to respond to or to seek to rebut. It is not an environment in which considered or objective conclusions or decisions can be made or reached and appropriate actions pursued.
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