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Victoria’s $204m youth detention plan faces criticism from within Labor
Victoria Premier Ben Carroll has announced a $204m plan to detain children who commit low or mid-level offences in secure facilities, including the former Malmsbury youth justice centre. The proposal promises schooling, treatment for drug and alcohol use, and life skills, but has drawn criticism from legal experts, Aboriginal organisations, unions and members of his own Labor party.
Former Aboriginal children’s commissioner Meena Singh said the plan risks presenting imprisonment as therapy and punishing children for trauma. Labor MPs have privately questioned its political strategy, while union secretary Luke Hilakari criticised detention for offences such as shoplifting and vandalism. Polls cited in the article put Labor’s primary vote at 18% and 23%, with one finding it 18 points behind the Coalition on crime.
In short
- Victoria plans to spend $204m on detaining some young offenders.
- Critics say the policy risks punishing children for trauma and disadvantage.
- Labor figures are concerned about the plan’s political costs.
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The case for
Supporters could argue that secure facilities provide a structured way to hold children accountable while addressing problems such as disrupted schooling and drug or alcohol use. They may see the plan as a response to public concern about youth crime, with education and treatment offering a chance to reduce reoffending and improve safety.
The case against
Critics could argue that detaining children for low or mid-level offences risks worsening the effects of trauma and treating imprisonment as care. They may favour responses that keep children connected to family, community and education, and warn that detention can cause lasting harm without addressing the conditions behind offending.
Explained simply
Victoria’s youth justice system deals with children accused or found guilty of offences. Secure detention means holding them in a locked facility; Malmsbury is a former youth justice centre in the state. The proposal includes schooling, help with drug and alcohol use, and practical life skills.
The debate is about how to respond to offending by children, including lower-level offences such as shoplifting or vandalism. Supporters of detention may see it as a way to provide supervision and services, while legal experts, Aboriginal organisations, unions and some Labor members have raised concerns about its effects on children, particularly those who have experienced trauma.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Even Labor MPs are at a loss over the Victorian premier’s ‘tough love’ plan for youth offenders”.