Thursday, 20 June 2024

Ministers statements: Koorie Youth Council

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:17): I rise today to update the house about the Koorie Youth Council, a fantastic youth-led and Indigenous-run organisation dedicated to representing young Indigenous Victorians. The Koorie Youth Council is an important partner of the government as we work to address the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in youth justice. Their voice plays a key role in the design and delivery of support services for Aboriginal children and young people. I was particularly interested in hearing about how we can better support Aboriginal young people so that they are living happy and healthy lives in community, connected to family and culture, because Aboriginal people are experts in their own lives, and their insights are critical to providing better support. I had the privilege of meeting with Bonnie Dukakis and her team at the Koorie Youth Council in Fitzroy to hear the lived experience of young Aboriginal people and their interactions with the youth justice system. The team also provides insights from lived experience of the youth justice system, as well as the adult system, and on how we can give young people the best chance to get their lives back on track. The government is committed to continuing to support Aboriginal children and young people through Wirkara Kulpa, Victoria’s first Aboriginal youth justice strategy. As part of delivering this strategy we are partnering with the Koorie Youth Council to help amplify the voices of our Aboriginal young people. By working with and listening to the voices of the Koorie Youth Council, we will achieve better outcomes at the individual level and help shape a system that is more responsive and effective. Thank you again to Bonnie and her lovely team for the warm welcome and fantastic discussion and insight.