Page 2246 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 August 2017
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While the task force does this important work, the oversight of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre will continue, as carried out by two official visitors, one of whom is a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander official visitor, and the ACT Human Rights Commission. The role of the official visitors is to visit and inspect Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, receive and manage complaints from young people and others about the centre and report directly to me as Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, providing information on individual matters raised by young people and any service or system issues of concern.
Ms Narelle Hargreaves OAM, JP and Ms Tracey Whetnall undertake this critical work. During the last financial year the official visitors visited Bimberi on 46 occasions. In their last quarterly report the official visitors specifically noted positive results and outcomes being achieved for young people at Bimberi through the Murrumbidgee Education and Training Centre, METC. They attended the end-of-term presentation and noted that it was an excellent example of staff working together with young people. Ms Hargreaves also attended parent-teacher interviews conducted by the METC. Seven parents attended these interviews to hear of their child’s progress through the education program. These interviews also provided an opportunity for parents to meet Ms Hargreaves and hear about the official visitor role.
As members would be aware, there has been further media reporting about Bimberi in recent weeks. This reflects ongoing community interest across Australia in youth justice systems. In this context I reiterate comments that I made in May that the safety of young people and staff at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre is always the directorate’s and the government’s highest priority. Where allegations are raised regarding an employee’s conduct in this setting, they are taken seriously and investigated appropriately while affording all parties procedural fairness. They are referred to ACT Policing where appropriate. A number of matters have also been brought to the attention of the Human Rights Commission, which is undertaking its own investigation.
Of course this scrutiny affects morale. But what is particularly hurtful is the airing of unsubstantiated allegations that cast aspersions on all Bimberi staff. This type of reporting also impacts on the emotional safety of families and young people in Bimberi, causing anguish and anger. I have been advised in the clearest terms that no evidence has been found by CSD or brought forward by others to support recent sensationalist headlines about such things as illicit drug use and organised fighting in Bimberi. The directorate remains committed to investigating all allegations. I repeat what I have said before: if anyone has evidence of misconduct within Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, this should be brought to the attention of the directorate, the police or the Human Rights Commission.
I mentioned earlier that the ACT was the first state or territory to commit to a human rights focused youth justice system. In line with that commitment I am pleased to announce that I released the charter of rights for young people in Bimberi Youth Justice Centre earlier today. I present the following paper:
Charter of Rights for Young People in Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.
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