Cunnamulla police officer filmed threatening to 'flog' and 'hurt' local Indigenous man. The family of an Indigenous man says he has fled a remote south-west Queensland town fearing for his safety after a local police officer threatened to "flog" and "hurt" him.
Key points: The man's father says the threats have left his whole family in fearHe doubts his son will return home for Christmas without some kind of assurance he will not be harmedPolice say they are conducting internal inquiries Video footage has emerged of the policeman in the remote town of Cunnamulla making threats against the 28-year-old man to his sister, Jacinta Munn, sparking informal internal inquiries within the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The man's family and an Indigenous rights expert are calling for immediate action to make him feel safe enough to return home. The footage, captured about two weeks ago, shows the Cunnamulla officer in the driver's seat of the marked police car, asking Ms Munn if she had seen her older brother. Ms Munn replies: "Well, he'll get charged — I don't think you can flog him. " Boy, 10, held on remand in Don Dale as detainee numbers almost double following tougher bail laws in NT. Tougher bail laws have triggered a surge in young people held in detention in the Northern Territory, including the first 10-year-old to be held in the Don Dale facility since the 2017 royal commission into youth detention.
Key points: The number of young people in detention has almost doubled since tougher bail laws began in MayYouth justice advocates say children as young as 10 are being held in detentionThe NT government has confirmed an expansion of its new youth justice centre It comes as the NT government confirmed a police watch house has been placed on stand-by to cope with the extra demand.
The ABC can also reveal the development of a $55 million replacement of Don Dale — which was recommended in the 2017 Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory — has been redesigned to increase capacity by 30 per cent. Kimberley teenager released from detention after spending 'weeks' in confinement. A Kimberley boy who is believed to have spent "weeks at a time" in a confined cell at Western Australia's only juvenile detention facility has been released.
Key points: A 14-year-old played a leading role in a recent wave of juvenile crime across BroomeHe was sent to Banksia Hill Detention Centre to carry out his five-month sentence, where he spent 23 hours a day in an intensive supervision unitMagistrate Stephen Sharratt has released him back to his family on strict conditions.
As Ashley Youth Detention Centre closes, Tasmania looking at new programs for at-risk youth. At a rural property in south-east Tasmania, boys have been put through their paces in what's believed to be an Australian first.
Key points: Tasmania will shut the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over the next three years and replace it with a therapeutic model of careJCP Youth director Will Smith says he has had success with a camp for at-risk youth that mixes kids from different backgroundsChildren's Minister Sarah Courtney says there is a "unique opportunity" in the state to build one of the world's best youth justice systems About 17 young people, including children engaged in their communities and those on bail, gathered for a three-day camp in early October. After a day of team building and discussions on resilience, an officer from Tasmania Police's Special Operations Group put the boys aged 11 to 17 through a mentally and physically demanding program that could give have given TV program SAS Australia a run for its money.
Youth crime concerns growing in Alice Springs as summer approaches. Sleep hasn't been the same for Kate Uilisone since intruders went through her home, and the memories of what happened that night still give her nightmares one year on.
Key points: Break-ins in Alice Springs have risen by 60 per cent in the past year, and youth prison numbers have also jumpedThe town's only 24-hour youth drop-in centre will be closed next school holidays and it's uncertain if any others will openLocals say they're concerned about youth crime levels this coming summer The 40-minute break-in in October 2020 was captured on CCTV, which shows a group of teenagers roaming through the Alice Springs home as the family slept.
"There's always a constant reminder subconsciously about it and I don't think sleep will ever quite be the same for a little while yet," Mrs Uilisone said. What it's like on frontline of Northern Territory's soaring youth detention numbers. Andrew Lockyer has made the 25-minute drive to the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre more times than he can count.
Key points: More than 60 young people have entered the NT justice system for the first time since MayYouth justice advocates are concerned it's the result of controversial youth bail lawsThe number of youth detainees in the NT has doubled over the past year "Sometimes I listen to music, but usually I take the time to think, because you never know what you're walking into there," he said. A youth worker with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Mr Lockyer takes families to visit children inside, updates the young people on their cases and answers the questions they usually have. 'Powerful' conversations as victims of crime and families of young offenders meet in troubled Fitzroy Crossing. Community leaders in Fitzroy Crossing have brought victims of crime and families of young offenders together in a community first amid heightened concern about crashes, burglaries and assaults in the remote Western Australian town.
Key points: A first-of-its kind meeting it Fitzroy Crossing has brought together crime vicitims and families of young offenders.It comes amid heightened concern about youth crime, particularly young people driving stolen cars.There's hopes more of these discussions can be held and include the young people themselves. Victims shared their stories with families of the young people after a series of incidents involving kids in stolen vehicles and just days after the funeral of a 12-year-old girl who died in a stolen car crash. Fitzroy Crossing local Geoff Davis helped run the meeting this week and said he was worried about his family being caught up in escalating crime in the area. He said there was an air of competition among some of the town's teenagers.
Teen jailed over violent home invasion, ram raid, multiple burglaries and $10,000 jewellery theft in Broome. A 14-year-old boy who played a leading role in a violent crime wave across Broome hung his head in shame as a Magistrate admonished his "atrocious" criminal record and behaviour.
Key points: A 14-year-old boy who played a leading role in a recent wave of juvenile crime across Broome has been jailed for five monthsThey boy has committed more than 70 offences, including leading a violent home invasion where a woman was threatened with a pair of scissorsProsecutors say the boy has refused to engage with any juvenile justice initiatives, or other diversionary programs The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has a 12-page criminal record, including leading a violent home invasion where a woman was threatened with a pair of scissors and a ram raid on the Broome post office alongside six juvenile accomplices.
Kimberley community leaders fear they're losing a generation of kids to confusion and crime. The mood is sombre as the Aboriginal elders greet each other.
Some lean together and bury their heads, shoulders silently shaking with grief. Key points: Two police investigations are underway into death of 12-year-old girl in stolen car crashAboriginal elders worried kids are out of control, and want more involvement in justice systemWA Government says funding will be forthcoming in next month's State Budget They're processing the loss of another child, another descendant who should have lived. How a night at Fitzroy Crossing left two young travellers bloodied, bruised and frightened. The screams of two young women being assaulted in a crowded Kimberley caravan park went unanswered as they were bashed by a group of teenagers with a metal chair and had their vehicle taken.
Key points: A group of teenagers who attacked two women in a Kimberley caravan park were later involved in a fatal accidentThe women say other campers were too frightened to help themOne woman blacked out and was left bruised while the other has a scarred face and loose teeth Left bloodied, bruised and without their car, the pair later had to vacate a hospital treatment room to make way for children critically injured when the stolen vehicle crashed. One of them, a 12-year-old girl among them died in the accident. The two 18-year-old friends from regional Northern Territory — who have requested to remain anonymous to avoid unwanted attention — told the ABC they were on a driving holiday, taking a gap year between school and work, when they were attacked. Officer injured as alleged youth gang steals cars worth more than $100,000 from Sunshine Coast home.
A police officer has been injured while trying to stop an alleged gang of juveniles in stolen cars on the Sunshine Coast. Key points: Three cars were stolen from a Sunshine Coast residence overnightThe cars were stolen from the house of cookbook author Kim McCoskerA police officer was injured when the car he was travelling in was rammed during a pursuit The officer's car was rammed by one of the stolen vehicles at Bokarina around 4:00am during a short pursuit, causing the male senior constable to suffer whiplash. It was one of three expensive vehicles allegedly stolen from a Pelican Waters home in the early hours of the morning while owner Kim McCosker and her family slept.
Northern Territory youth detention class action being resolved, payouts could apply to 1,200 detainees. The Northern Territory government has agreed to compensate up to 1,200 former detainees who were mistreated in youth detention facilities, the Federal Court has been told. Key points: Two former detainees launched the class action after the revelations of abuse in Don DaleThe settlement now needs court approval but could apply to up to 1,200 othersLawyers for the NT government have sought to suppress the final settlement amount Lawyers for the detainees and the NT government revealed during a hearing on Friday they had resolved a class action that was launched in 2016 after the revelations of abuse in Darwin's Don Dale youth detention centre.
The court heard that the next step in the class action would be the judge's approval of the settlement terms agreed on by the parties. But the NT government's legal team also made an application to suppress publication of the compensation amount it has agreed to pay. Case alleged assault, false imprisonment. Indigenous children 'grossly over-represented' in Queensland's juvenile justice system, report finds.
The high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in jail is an indictment on the youth justice system and a new approach is needed, according to the head of Queensland's Family and Child Commission (QFCC). Key points: Indigenous children made up 45 per cent of youth offenders in 2018-19Most children in Queensland youth detention are IndigenousThe QFCC report to the government calls for a shift away from criminalising children QFCC principal commissioner Cheryl Vardon's stinging comments came in response to the commission's report on the sector, requested by the state government in 2019 to monitor reforms being implementing under the Youth Justice Strategy 2019-23.
The report revealed while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children accounted for 7 per cent of the total population of 10 to 17-year-olds in Queensland, they made up 45 per cent of young offenders in 2018-19. "That's a huge impact on our work and where we need to direct our work. In Palmerston, local kids meet friends and learn skills through youth engagement programs. In 2017, the Northern Territory's youth detention royal commission handed down a range of recommendations. Some have made headlines for being overlooked, like the recent controversial changes to youth bail laws. But in Palmerston, it led to more funding for youth activities aimed at early intervention and prevention. Since 2018, the NT government has provided nearly half a million dollars a year for youth activities in the Palmerston area, according to the Territory Families Department.
A recent evaluation found "these activities are creating the supportive, youth-friendly community environment that is required to make the long-term generational changes demanded by the royal commission". Riece Ranson, youth mentor and artist Riece was 14 years old when he was arrested for the first time over graffiti offences in London. Don Dale to expand, years after its closure was recommended, as NT youth detainee numbers rise. The Northern Territory government will spend millions of dollars making abandoned blocks in the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre habitable as it prepares for a likely increase in youth detainees. The NT government will spend $2.5 million on "fix and make safe" works, beginning immediatelyThe Territory Families minister says the upgrades are needed to "get ahead of the game"The number of youth in detention across the NT has almost doubled over the past year The works will see the disused blocks refurbished in order to "increase the number of bedrooms and enhance the ability to manage occupancy should this be required," according to a Territory Families spokeswoman.
A $2.5 million contract has been awarded to a local contractor, with "fix and make safe" works to begin immediately and all renovations to finish in about three months. In Darwin, the number of inmates has risen each week since the legislation became law in the middle of May. Boy, 16, sentenced over stabbing death of 'close friend' in Bagot community.
Goondiwindi residents feel unsafe in their homes, as spike in crime forces local council to act. NT Attorney-General Selena Uibo slams Greens senator Lidia Thorpe's speech. Youth bail crackdown not tough enough for NT opposition, as Labor rushes changes through Parliament. Controversial changes making it harder for young people to get bail have been passed in the Northern Territory with bipartisan support. Key points: NT youth bail legislation shouldn't be rushed, Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy warns. Federal senator Malarndirri McCarthy has voiced concern about controversial changes to the Northern Territory's youth bail laws, calling on her local Labor colleagues to rethink the plan to fast-track the reforms. Key points: Senator McCarthy's comments come on top of criticism by the NT Children's Commissioner and health and legal groups The draft legislation is expected to be introduced into parliament tomorrowThe Chief Minister says the changes are "commonsense" reforms, and are backed by NT Police The government wants its changes passed through NT Parliament as early as tomorrow, less than a week after the bill was made public and despite questions from legal groups about apparent problems with the draft legislation.
Children's Commissioner's scathing attack on NT government's proposed youth bail laws. Indigenous Labor Party members push back against Northern Territory youth bail crackdown. Indigenous members of the Northern Territory Labor Party have urged their own government to reconsider proposed changes to youth bail laws, telling Chief Minister Michael Gunner his team is stoking "racist community attitudes" by using tough-on-crime rhetoric. Key points: An internal Labor network of Indigenous members says the government's changes will harm mostly Aboriginal young people The government is yet to decide if it will fast-track the laws in this fortnight's sittingsLabor says its changes are in line with community expectations and complement investments in youth diversion and family supports Labor last month flagged what it described as "tougher than ever" consequences for alleged offending, in the face of continued pressure over property crime and a fresh push by the Country Liberal Party opposition to wind back changes made after the youth detention royal commission.
"We implore you to lead with vision. " Darwin young people who have lost friends to ice addiction take matters into their own hands. Arthur Lariosa has lost three friends to drug abuse. Key points: Young performers are collaborating with former ice users from a rehabilitation serviceTheir performance ‘Secrets’ explores teenage ice use in DarwinMost of the cast members are local high school students. Police use social media posts as evidence to net new-age hoons. Snap-happy hoons are making law enforcement "very easy" on the Gold Coast, the city's most senior police officer says. Mandatory refusal of youth bail included in NT Labor's tough-on-crime crackdown. Youth workers warn Queensland's tough new laws on teen crime could backfire. Grandmothers unite to combat youth crime in NT town of Tennant Creek. Reforming youth bail laws 'not the answer' to Northern Territory crime, retiring judge says.
NT's biggest remote community Maningrida is trying its own solutions to stop youth crime, but is begging for help. Program for Indigenous youth building 'momentum for change' in justice system. NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro to propose laws to tackle youth crime. Tyreece used to sleep on the streets — now he has an aspiring career in the army. Why the growing number of vigilantes in response to youth crime in Townsville is worrying the Indigenous community. Labor resists calls to reverse bail changes made after youth detention royal commission. GPS tracking 'wouldn't have stopped me' committing crimes, says former Queensland youth offender.
Former royal commissioner into youth justice slams Queensland's 'knee-jerk' measures as police welcome new powers. GPS trackers set young criminals up for failure, Human Rights Commissioner says. Queensland Government to consider GPS tracking devices for juveniles on bail in bid to tackle youth crime. Australia urged by 31 countries at UN meeting to raise age of criminal responsibility. How a 'youth offender phenomenon' captured Melbourne and didn't let go.