Page 1856 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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MR CORBELL: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In relation to the quantum, I will take the question on notice and check the exact figures. But in relation to comparisons with other jurisdictions, I would again make the point that if you live in Queanbeyan or Jerrabomberra, you pay over $1,000 more on average for your electricity bill than if you live in Fadden, Conder, Banks, Torrens, Rivett or Waramanga.
Mr Hanson: Not for long the way you lot are going.
MR CORBELL: You know what, Mr Hanson, I will take that interjection. You are wrong. The Australian Energy Market Commission itself has confirmed that, according to the period that it forecast, we will remain the lowest jurisdiction in the country. The Australian Energy Market Commission itself has confirmed that we will remain the lowest jurisdiction in the country. This is evidence of good management of our electricity market, maintenance of a competitive environment and, finally, the importance of reducing Canberrans’ household electricity bills further through measures like energy efficiency. (Time expired.)
Youth justice—system
MS BERRY: My question is to the minister for children and young people and relates to youth justice in the ACT. Can the minister update the Assembly on the implementation of recommendations of the Human Rights Commission’s report on youth justice?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Berry for her question. There has been significant change over the last 18 months to progress systemic and cultural reform of the youth justice system here in the ACT. The Human Rights Commission report made 224 recommendations and to date action on 185, or 84 per cent of those, has been completed or substantially completed, and action on the remainder is underway.
Significant work has occurred to develop an integrated management system at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. This project will better connect all aspects of day-to-day operations across youth justice and is substantially completed. Work has also progressed on providing support for young people, including initiatives to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
While individual actions against the recommendations will deliver sustainable change across the youth justice system, the ACT government’s key response to the Human Rights Commission report has been the release of the Blueprint for youth justice in the ACT. The blueprint has been developed as the strategic plan to reform the youth justice system over the next 10 years. The long-term aim is to reduce the number of young people coming into contact with the justice system.
The blueprint reflects a shift towards addressing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour. It recognises that early intervention, prevention and diversion are the most important factors in building lasting change into the lives of young people and those of their families. A quality youth justice system is underpinned by best practice and innovation. This is reflected in the blueprint through a specific action to bring together youth justice experts to share knowledge and practice.
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