Yesterday, 129 former detainees of Ashley Youth Detention Centre settled a class action, and I acknowledge some of them in the Chamber today.
The Liberal Government’s Youth Justice Reform Taskforce Action Plan shows that they are continuing to fail to take the urgent action needed to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
There have been multiple delays in Ashley Youth Detention Centre closing, so it's difficult to trust what's being said.
Minister, could you provide a breakdown of the ages of children held in Ashley Youth Detention Centre during 2023‑24, please?
Given that a disproportionate number of young people who are in Ashley Youth Detention centre are Aboriginal, have you funded a bail hostel safe home facility so that Aboriginal young people won't be sent to Ashley when they should instead be bailed and going into a home?
Honourable Speaker, I rise this evening to respond to comments made last Thursday by the Minister for Children and Youth in answer to a question I asked about the closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The Liberals’ commitment to closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre has looked shaky for a long time, but it’s under more of a cloud than ever after responses made by the Premier and Minister for Children in Parliament.
The commission of inquiry wrapped up early, citing the live and current risk to children and young people in Ashley. The commission's clear direction to the government was to close it ASAP and end the suffering and trauma of young people in it.
We have heard it again and again and again - one day, soonish, Ashley Youth Detention Centre will be closed. Announcement, after confirmation, after update, after announcement, and yet here we are.
The Greens stand with CPSU and HACSU child safety workers taking strike action today. The Liberal Government must ensure there are enough staff to care for our children, and that staff have the support they need.
