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Shadow Portfolio

On 9th May 2023 the Hon Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC was appointed Shadow Minister for Youth Justice.

Mrs MacDonald said she is proud to have been asked to be a part of the team led by Mark Speakman and to contribute to the overall effort of keeping the NSW Government accountable and delivering for the people of NSW.

Prior to entering parliament to serve in the Legislative Council, Mrs MacDonald worked as a Community Corrections Officer and is very aware of issues in this sector. Her previous role working with adults in community corrections means she is well placed to represent the issues and concerns of those in the Youth Justice sector, applying the expertise and skills acquired during 10 years with the Corrective Services NSW.

Mrs MacDonald has already commenced engaging with stakeholders and will continue to do so throughout the term. This will ensure that young people who are at risk of offending receive appropriate treatment via Intervention, Diversion and Rehabilitation to circuit-break and prevent offending.

Our focus moving forward is to operate as a constructive opposition and, as Mr Speakman said on his election as the Opposition Leader, we will be offering support where it is warranted and hold the Government to account where they fail the community

A summary of Youth Justice during a Coalition Government follows:

Under the NSW Liberal National Government, the number of young people in custody in NSW steadily reduced across the state. The average daily number of young people in custody in NSW in 2021-22 was 187 down from an average of 389 young people under a Labor Government in 2010/11. Youth Justice Centres provide ongoing health, education, psychological support, and casework services. There’s also support to help young people in custody develop the skills they need to re-enter the community.

Early Intervention

  • Early intervention and diversion are priorities for the NSW Liberal and Nationals. Programs such as Youth on Track, A Place to Go, Broadmeadow Children’s Court Pilot, Youth Justice Conferencing and the Bail Assistance Line are effective in preventing young people across the state from entering custody.
  • We extended Youth on Track program an intensive case management and tailored behaviour change and family interventions to meet the needs of young people who are at risk of long-term involvement in the criminal justice system.
  • A Place to Go aims to improve supports and deliver a better response for 10-17 year olds coming into contact with the justice system, with a focus on young people on remand, and by drawing on services from across NSW Government and non-government to deliver a coordinated and multiagency service solution.
  • Introduced the Broadmeadow Children’s Court Pilot in Newcastle to prevent children and young people from having repeated contact with the justice system by having a multi-disciplinary team based at the court offering alternative service pathways. An independent evaluation of the Broadmeadow Children’s Court Pilot identified the pilot is helping to address the urgent and immediate needs of young people coming before the court.

Custody

  • The average daily number of young people in custody in 2021-22 was 186 (decrease of 26 per cent from 2019-20 and 53 per cent decrease from 2010-11).
  • Introduced body scanners in Youth Justice Centres. This change will nearly eliminate the use of partially clothed body searches in custody.
  • Specific interventions that have been developed to address Aboriginal overrepresentation include My Journey My Life, My Journey My Life: Yinnar and Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training for youth justice staff.

Community

  • The average daily number of young people on community supervision in 2021-22 was 1,003 (down from 1200 in 2019-20 and 1943 in 2010-11).
  • Youth Justice Conferencing brings together the young person that has committed the offence, the victim, the Police Youth Liaison Officer, support people and other relevant representatives to divert young people from the criminal justice system. Completion rates have increased from 87 per cent in 2016-17 to 93 per cent in 2021-22.
  • The Bail Assistance Line contributes to reducing short-term remand by finding accommodation for homeless young people who would otherwise be bail refused for accommodation reasons. In 2021-22, the Bail Assistance Line diverted 77 homeless young people from a period of avoidable remand in Youth Justice custody and offered NSW Police with alternatives to custody for a total of 1,086 young people.
  • The Rural Residential Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Service in Dubbo and Coffs Harbour offers 24-hour staffed, residential treatment and therapeutic programs.

Focus

  • Intervene early to address criminogenic risks.
  • Keep children and young people out of court/custody.
  • Reduce re-offending.
  • Community safety

Aileen is an experienced regional small business operator and community advocate.