Tougher bail laws creating 'perverse incentive' for children to plead guilty
By Isobel Roe

Several lawyers have told a state parliament inquiry into the youth justice system that bail laws are encouraging children to plead guilty to crimes they may not have committed.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/nsw-youth-justice-inquiry-hears-kids-plead-guilty-to-avoid-jail/106567638

#YouthCrime #Crime #StateandTerritoryGovernment #IsobelRoe

'Highly inappropriate': Parliament questions election funding promise for at-risk youth program
By Lucy MacDonald

The taxpayer-funded outreach organisation JCP Youth runs the "flagship" BEAST program to divert at-risk youths, but a parliamentary committee has concerns over its evidence base and lack of a tender process for funding.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/tas-jcp-youth-parliamentary-committee/106563024

#YouthCrime #JuvenileCrime #GovernmentFunding #LucyMacDonald

Teen who 'weaponised' stolen cars denied bail over risk to community

A 13-year-old girl is facing court over 109 charges relating to incidents including allegedly driving into a cyclist.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-13/teenage-girl-denied-bail-weaponised-stolen-cars/106559516

#Courts #Crime #YouthCrime