The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (21:04): I recognise and commend my parliamentary colleagues for the bipartisan spirit they brought to the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Justice Reform. At our first gathering, members from across the political spectrum—the Liberal Party, the National Party, the Labor Party, The Greens and Independents—came together to understand and support reforms that are crucial for the future of our youth justice system. This is not a political issue; it is a community issue and, more importantly, it is a family issue. As co-chair of the group, I am encouraged by the collective commitment to addressing the challenges within the youth justice system. We know that to create meaningful, long‑lasting change, we must reframe youth justice as not just a legal or criminal issue but a family issue. That was underscored by the Australian Human Rights Commission's "Help way earlier!" report.

The report emphasised that early intervention is essential to keeping young people out of the criminal justice system. By supporting families earlier in the process and by intervening before problems escalate, we can prevent young people from entering the justice system in the first place. Youth justice reform must start with recognising that when families are supported, communities are stronger and young people are given a chance to thrive. The concept that it takes a village to raise a child is more relevant now than ever before. Families, communities and institutions need to work hand in hand to guide our young people. Reforms in the youth justice system are just one piece of the puzzle. The work needs to start at home and in the community, long before any encounter with the justice system.

The bipartisan nature of the group reminds us all that, despite our political differences, we can unite for a cause that transcends party lines. We all share a vision to support families and provide young people with the opportunities and resources to succeed outside of the criminal justice system. Our group will continue to engage with stakeholders, including advocacy groups, legal professionals and community organisations, to ensure that we tackle the root causes of youth offending. The initiative is about creating a more compassionate, rehabilitative and, ultimately, effective system that serves our families and young people.

Together we will explore programs that will either divert young people or, if they are already in the justice system, address factors that lead to recidivism and divert them to rehabilitation and therapeutic programs. I thank my co-chair, the Hon. Stephen Lawrence, for his involvement. I look forward to the work we will undertake to assist our parliamentary colleagues with awareness of the complex nature of youth justice. The Parliamentary Friends of Youth Justice Reform will continue to meet regularly, facilitating vital conversations and advocating for practical, evidence-based reforms. Together we will build a system that offers support for families and hope for young people, long before they ever need to confront the justice system.