Amnesty Criticises Australia’s Lack of Focus on Youth Crime Initiatives

Youth crime is a hot topic across Australia, with data showing underage offending is on the rise across the nation. In an election year, it has become an issue politicians cannot afford to ignore. But human rights organisation Amnesty International has questioned Tuesday’s budget and its apparent lack of measures to provide funding for justice reinvestment and youth diversion programs to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. “Instead of funding programmes that support young people at risk of being criminalised and see them change the direction of their lives, the government has committed to building and expanding prisons to incarcerate children once they’ve already gone down this path,” a statement released by the organisation stated....