Page 3765 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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A range of community-based programs are funded by government to support young people to re-engage with their families or build other supports, to learn skills to prepare them for employment and to access flexible education options.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, can you inform the Assembly of any initiatives your directorate is taking to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the youth justice system?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Dr Bourke for his interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. The ACT government acknowledges the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the justice system. It is a significant issue, not just in the ACT but in all jurisdictions across Australia. Having said this, in the last reporting year available, there have been improvements in the ACT in the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people under youth justice supervision, reductions in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people under supervision, and a reduced average length of time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people spend under supervision.
These results show that actions under the blueprint are having positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Some of these actions include the delivery of the case management and support—MPower—initiative. This initiative provides intensive and flexible case management support for young people, with a focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families through collaborative partnerships; strengthening cultural planning for young people on justice orders through opportunities to develop or retain their connections to family, community and culture; the delivery of the Narrabundah House Indigenous supervised residential facility by providing supported accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young males who are at risk of entering custody or becoming homeless; the provision of a family engagement officer at Bimberi to assist the engagement of families and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives; and engagement with the Indigenous guidance partner from restorative justice to work together with young people who are participating in a restorative justice process.
These measures are all demonstrating some really positive outcomes but further work will continue under the blueprint to reduce that disproportionate representation. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, can you update the Assembly on how the Murrumbidgee education centre at Bimberi is assisting young people to re-engage in education?
MR GENTLEMAN: The Murrumbidgee Education and Training Centre provides specialised educational programs for young people at Bimberi based on their individual skills and interests. The centre employs two part-time tutors as part of its literacy program and delivers a weekly cultural program.
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