Inquiry into Restorative Justice Principles in Youth Settings: Submission

Source: (2005) Canberra: Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory.

On 10 March 2005, Ms. Mary Porter MLA, Chair of the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Young People announced in the ACT Legislative Assembly, that the Standing Committee would conduct an inquiry into restorative justice principles in youth settings. The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows: to inquire into and report on practice of restorative justice principles in youth settings with particular reference to: the development and implementation of programs in schools, youth services and youth justice settings; allocation of Government resourcing and its impact on the development and implementation of restorative justice programs; strategies for involving young people in the development of programs; programs to support young people and their families; and any other related matter… The ACT [Australian Capital Territory] Government has undertaken extensive research and consultation over a number of recent years to construct a model of restorative justice that sits within the criminal justice system in the Australian Capital Territory. The model that Government has adopted provides restorative justice options in both youth justice and adult justice settings, with victims’ needs as a priority. (excerpt)