Page 3289 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 16 August 2011
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procedures, policies and programs were not always followed, implemented, practised and run, although I do acknowledge that in questions today some of that was said by the minister. But we need to be very clear that this is a system that has major problems that need to be fixed.
The report clearly highlights that many human rights have also been unreasonably limited. Recently when I met with youth justice officials from the Scottish government and staff at Kibble Education and Care Centre in Scotland, it was obvious to me that there are opportunities to do things differently here. The secure unit at Kibble is just one of the many programs they offer. It is one of the most modern and secure facilities and offers a balanced approach to rehabilitation and community safety, ensuring that child welfare principles are maintained without compromising the safety of others.
Part of Kibble’s success has demonstrated that evidence-based national and international practice with constant and ongoing reference to current research is a critical aspect of getting it right, and the Scottish government provided me with papers addressing issues such as alternatives to secure care and custody, reintegration and transitions and diversion from prosecution.
What interested me most was a framework called “Getting it right for every child and young person”, and this is the foundation work with all children and young people, including adult services, where parents are involved. It impressed me because it promotes a shared approach between government, non-government, families, children and young people and the broader community to make sure solutions are built with and around children and their families.
Getting it right enables children to get the help they need when they need it and supports a positive shift in culture, systems and practice and involves working together to make things better. I believe the reforms and recommendations put forward in the report into the youth justice system clearly articulate that a similar approach is required. There is a lot in the report about the importance of connection to community and family, and that is an area that certainly needs a huge amount of work to improve it.
The ACT Greens are committed to being part of the solution in enhancing the youth justice system, through the implementation of all the recommendations within the ACT youth justice system report. I look forward to further engagement and discussions on how improvements can be made to Bimberi and youth justice services right across the board.
One of the things that was raised was the importance of having some sort of bipartisan approach in the Assembly. I think it is incredibly important. We cannot use this as a political football; we need to use this as a report that points out the issues and provides some solutions. Let us try and get it right.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Community Services, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Women and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) (4.58): In responding I note
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