Search and Separation Powers for Youth Detention Centres
Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Topics
court diversion detainee rights detention centre management mental health monitoring youth detention youth justice
Introduced by: The Hon Gerard Maley MLA (CLP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Gerard Maley CLP
“Madam Speaker, I present a bill titled Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Serial 31, and table the explanatory statement. I move that the Bill be now read a first time.”
Dheran Young ALP
“Madam Speaker, I move the following amendment to omit all words after ‘that’ and insert ‘the Bill be referred to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee for report by 28 August 2025’. This is nothing but a kneejerk move from a government that is out of answers and continues to fail the community when it comes to crime.”
Steven Edgington CLP
“Madam Speaker, the government does not accept the amended motion. I move that the question be put. The Assembly divided: Ayes 15 Ms Boothby Mr Burgoyne Ms Cahill Mrs Carlson Mr Charls Mr Edgington Mrs Hersey Mr Kerle Mr Mackay Mr Maley Mr O’Gallagher Mr Patel Dr Rahman Mr Yan Mrs Zio Noes 6 Mr Brown J Davis Mr Guyula Mr Paech Ms Uibo Mr Young Motion agreed to.”
Selena Uibo ALP
“Madam Speaker, our Territory Labor opposition team believes it is unacceptable that the CLP government has brought this legislation into the Northern Territory parliament on urgency. The government has given our team less than 24 hours to scrutinise and consider an important Bill that will have an impact on the whole of the Northern Territory.”
“Madam Speaker, I support the youth justice amendments. It was interesting to listen to the Leader of the Opposition, as half of her speech was blatant emotional appeals. Territorians and victims have had enough of emotional appeals; they want action. Eleven months ago Territorians emphatically voted for change at the election.”
“Madam Speaker, I am very concerned about this Bill. This is not one small change; there are many changes in this Bill that will bring significant change to the law. There is no reason for this Bill to be moved on urgency. This is just a political game by the government, moving it on urgency. I know that Aboriginal people are, once again, the political football.”
Jo Hersey CLP
“Madam Speaker, I will pick up on a couple of the contributions made so far. In response to the Leader of the Opposition, whose words this morning were, ‘the responsibility of representing not just your own electorate but those across the Territory’, I have to say that is pot calling kettle black if she wants to represent everyone.”
Matthew Kerle CLP
“Madam Speaker, this is an important Bill. It is important that I start by setting out what we promised to do for Territorians when campaigning last year. We said that we would reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore our lifestyle. That was ‘reduce’ not ‘remove’ and we are working on it, unlike those opposite.”
Manuel Brown ALP
“Madam Speaker, I give notice that on the next General Business day I shall present a motion calling on the Assembly to: · acknowledge the importance of improving access to timely, quality and culturally safe patient-focused healthcare across remote areas in the Northern Territory · condemn the Finocchiaro CLP government for scrapping the $20m health centre and morgue designated for the Gunbalanya …”
Robyn Cahill CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support the amendments to the Youth Justice Act 2005. Our Finocchiaro CLP government was elected on a platform of creating a safer community where antisocial behaviour would not be tolerated and those breaking the law would be held to account. Resoundingly, Territorians said that is what they wanted, so that is what we are working to deliver.”
Lia Finocchiaro CLP
“Madam Speaker, this Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill is a significant piece of reform. We have worked on this legislation all year. It is part of our election commitments we took to Territorians in August last year. It is a part of our plan to continue to reduce crime across the Northern Territory. We have already undertaken significant reform.”
Laurie Zio CLP
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the amendments to the Youth Justice Act. Youth crime across the Territory is clearly one of our biggest challenges, and our government is taking critical steps to change the course of our future. Every week stories reach us of hardworking Territorians, shopkeepers, families and retirees whose lives have been turned upside down by youth crime.”
“Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I support the Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. There is no doubt it is a significant Bill and it has implications. As a father and grandfather--I am proud to be a grandfather as well--I give a big shout-out to the overwhelming majority of our youths, whom I consider wonderful and inspiring people.”
Chanston Paech ALP
“Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I note that from all sides of politics there has been a number of contributions about the Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill brought forward by the Minister for Corrections. It is important from the outset to acknowledge that we are talking about Territory kids. These are children. Many of these children have had a difficult life and upbringing.”
Andrew Mackay CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support the Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill. This Bill is necessary, timely and firmly grounded in the expectations of Territorians. We all want to live in safe communities. Under the former Labor government, the Youth Justice Act was watered down, and the focus was put on keeping violent offenders in the community instead of keeping the community safe.”