Media Statement regarding the NSW Government Response to the Report of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety - Inquiry into the Adequacy of Youth Diversionary Programs in NSW
Please attribute the following statement to the President of the Law Society of NSW, Elizabeth Espinosa:
"The Law Society of NSW made a submission in relation to this Inquiry into the Adequacy of Youth Diversionary Programs in NSW.
"We will review the Government's response in detail and will refer it to the Law Society's Children's Legal Issues Committee for analysis and any appropriate response.
"We do welcome the news that the NSW Government will conduct a review of the Young Offenders Act 1997 in line with the report's recommendation.
"The NSW Law Society has for some time been calling for legislative changes to the Act so that it can be more easily used in a broader range of appropriate circumstances.
"We look forward to being involved in the consultative process in relation to this review and any proposed legislative changes.
he Law Society believes it is vital that the NSW Government takes a holistic view of the factors pushing children and young people into contact with the youth justice system and to direct proper funding of support services for young offenders that address underlying causes of offending."
