Liberal Leader Mark Parton MLA introduced a motion calling on the Government to develop a youth offending pathways and intervention strategy. The motion highlighted concerns from retail workers and managers in Tuggeranong relating to crime, retail theft, abuse, intimidation and antisocial behaviour.
The motion called for the Government to develop the strategy by the second sitting week of September 2026, and in doing soto consult with retail workers, retailers, shopping centre management, ACT Policing, Canberra PCYC, youth justice, schools, child and family services, health services and relevant community organisations.
Labor moved an amendment extending the reporting deadline to the second sitting week of October and renaming the proposed strategy to a “Youth Justice Strategic Plan”, which was unanimously agreed to. The Greens sought to amend Labor’s amendment by adding a call to consult with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and young people, and to promote restorative justice services, which was also supported by the Assembly.
In speaking on the motion, Thomas highlighted that these issues cannot be solved with more policing alone and require sustainable, long-term investment in prevention and early intervention programs. In his remarks, Thomas also pointed out that the Government was already set to publish a long-overdue Youth Justice Strategic Plan, which he had been briefed on in recent weeks.
The motion, as amended, was supported unanimously by the Assembly.