Shadow Minister for Territory Families, Joshua Burgoyne, says the Gunner Government needs to explain why it didn’t oppose an extension for teenage criminals to sign up for a $35 million payout – and whether it will scale back the payout figure if the expected 1,200 eligible detainees from Don Dale aren’t found.
“Tomorrow, November 16, is the original deadline for eligible Don Dale detainees to register for a slice of the $35 million payout.
“Last week it was revealed 464 out of 1,200 potentially eligible former detainees have signed up and lawyers leading the class action have applied for that deadline to be extended to the middle of 2022. That was effectively given the green light by the Gunner Government, which didn’t oppose the extension.
“Territorians deserve to know why Labor didn’t oppose that extension. Territorians also deserve to know whether the payout figure will be scaled back, from $35 million down to around $11.6 million, given only around a third of potentially eligible detainees have registered.
“Crucially, any compensation given to these teenage criminals must include a payout to their victims.
“Just last month it was reported that youth justice officers are being assaulted almost every second day and many ‘fear for their lives’ working at Don Dale. Will youth justice workers who have been attacked by detainees be offered the same support from the Gunner Labor Government?
“Youth justice officers are being kitted up with ‘turtle human shields’ (child friendly padded shields), armadillo full length shields, helmets, protective riot suits and puncture proof vests, as well as face shields, gloves, and fluid suits – to protect from spitting and urine. This paints a grim picture of the dangerous and volatile environment for youth justice workers. “A CLP Government would return Youth Justice to Corrections so that Territory Families can focus on its core function – the care and protection of children so they don’t end up in the youth justice system in the first place. The CLP would also make sure that youth offenders who are placed in diversion will undertake mandatory community services, and would establish a purpose-built ‘Sentenced to a Skill’ boot camp,” said Mr Burgoyne.
ENDS