Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and the Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour have started talks in Alice Springs on justice reinvestment.
The Federal Budget delivered a landmark $99 million for First Nations justice package.
This includes $81.5 million in funding for up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia, with Alice Springs identified as a priority site.
At a meeting with the Alice Springs Mayor and Northern Territory government, all three levels of government agreed on the importance of working together to make justice reinvestment a reality in Central Australia.
Justice reinvestment will involve a community-led and holistic approach to keeping at risk individuals out of the criminal justice system.
The Albanese government will set up a national justice re-investment body which was recommended by the Australian Law reform Commission's 2018 Pathways to Justice report.
Existing justice reinvestment programs have a proven record of reduced incarceration, reduced crime and reduced recidivism.
Quotes attributable to Minister Linda Burney:
Justice reinvestment will play an important part in addressing some of the challenges experienced in Alice Springs.
"Justice reinvestment is about changing the trajectory of young people at risk - and diverting people to the right path.
"If it's going to work in Alice Springs - justice reinvestment has to be community led. The whole community has to play a part - local government, territory government, police, schools, health services and community organisations.
"I'd encourage people to start thinking about and talking about what they want to see here in Alice Springs."
Quotes attributable to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"Justice reinvestment is about the community of Alice Springs coming together to developing an approach in partnership with communities and organisations.
I encourage people to take a look at places like Bourke where justice reinvestment has had an incredible impact on the town by reducing crime and giving young people a better start in life.
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour:
"Our justice re-investment initiatives will be tailored to local needs and developed in partnership with First Nations communities and organisations.
If we want to reduce crime and rates of reoffending then we need to break the cycle of disadvantage and invest in our young people."---
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Attorney General Chansey Paech:
"The Territory Labor Government welcomes this commitment from the Federal Government and I look forward to the collaboration from all levels of Government.
"Funding towards prioritising First Nations justice measures in Alice Springs augments our plans to improve social outcomes in ways that are productive, effective, and sustainable."
Quotes attributable to Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson:
"Alice Springs Town Council has always encouraged a whole of community approach to crime prevention and safety.
It is incredibly important for all levels of government to be on the same page when it comes to tackling the issues we face in the Red Centre, and I'm excited to see Council work with the Federal and Territory Governments.
Council welcomes collaboration to reduce crime levels and make the Alice Springs community a better place for everyone."
