Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Youth crime

Dylan WIGHT (Tarneit) (13:48): Youth crime is a problem that my community regards with particular concern. Our Youth Justice Act 2024 is a monumental step forward for youth justice in our state. It demonstrates significant criminal justice reform, shifting from an ineffective punitive system to a modern evidence-based approach. I am very aware of and I am concerned by the reputation that is often propagated about my electorate in the news and by some that should know better.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with the team from WEstjustice and the Centre for Multicultural Youth to discuss a fantastic program called TARGET ZERO. TARGET ZERO is a strong coalition of services, schools and community organisations working together on the factors that drive youth criminalisation and justice over-representation. The team is designing, testing and innovating new approaches to build resilience in our young Victorians and their families whilst elevating their talents. I am proud to be part of an Allan Labor government who put the safety of our citizens first. This is why I am more than happy to stand in this place and advocate for measures such as these, which promote evidence-based strategies for reducing youth reoffending. I am calling on all of my parliamentary colleagues to support TARGET ZERO, which I am confident will achieve great things in Wyndham, Melton and Brimbank.