The Liberal Government’s Youth Justice Reform Taskforce Action Plan 2024-25 – released with three months of that year already passed – shows that they are continuing to fail to take the urgent action needed to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The Commission of Inquiry recommended that Ashley Youth Detention Centre be closed as soon as possible. They wrapped up their work early to make sure Ashley Youth Detention Centre would be closed urgently.
Yet in the Rockliff Government’s “Action” Plan for the next financial year, there is no timeline for closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre. While the Liberal Government continues to delay, Tasmanian young people continue to be at risk in youth detention. It’s just not good enough.
Three years ago, the Liberals committed to closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Yet their new “Action” Plan shows that the design of their new youth justice facility won’t even be completed until next year, let alone constructed.
The Liberal Government needs to prioritise our children. It’s time to stop the delays, and close Ashley Youth Detention Centre now.
