QCOSS has provided a submission to the Inquiry into Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System. We outlined that the community service sector delivers community-based interventions that deal with the root cause of crime, which are proven to improve the wellbeing of young people and reduce offending behaviour. On the other hand, policies that rely on a punitive approach, including more reliance on detention, are not effective in reducing youth crime and are harmful to young people and the community.

Currently in Queensland children are being subjected to harmful treatment that is deeply troubling and not consistent with our human rights laws. Additionally, counter to commitments made under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the youth justice system in Queensland continues to have a disproportionate impact on First Nations children.

The current approach to youth justice and incarceration in Queensland and throughout many other jurisdictions in Australia is harmful. National leadership and co-ordination is essential. The way forward must be shaped with First Nations leadership and a clear commitment to the human rights of children.