2016-03-17
Figures reported today showing Indigenous youth are 26 times more likely to be incarcerated than non-Indigenous youth should prompt immediate action from the Federal Government, Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“It is heartbreaking to learn on Close the Gap Day that Aboriginal youth are 26 times more likely to land in youth detention and made up 54 per cent of young people in youth justice detention last June.
“These recent figures are horrendous, we cannot close the gap until we address this issue.
“It is an indictment on Australia that Aboriginal youth are 26 times more likely to be incarcerated than non-indigenous youth.
“Such disproportionate representation needs to be urgently addressed. Malcolm Turnbull must act on his rhetoric about reducing disadvantage and closing the gap.
“I like many others have repeatedly called for justice targets as part of a national approach to Closing the Gap on Aboriginal incarceration. Recently the Minister for Indigenous Affairs scoffed at the proposition.
“With these figures in mind, I urge Minister Scullion to listen to the community and take this proposed measure seriously”.