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ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
How Australia's states and territories are grappling with youth crime
You'd only have to have paid passing attention to the news in the last few years to know youth crime is a hot-button issue. It's been debated on talkback radio, at community forums and by news outlets across the country, contributing to a growing sense of community fear. Most recently in Victoria it was a machete fight at a large Melbourne shopping centre, where most of the people allegedly involved were aged 18 or younger and on bail. In Queensland, it was the murder of 41-year-old mum Emma Lovell who was stabbed in the heart in front of her north Brisbane house in 2022 after a violent home invasion. The teenager who murdered her had a long involvement with the justice system before Ms Lovell's murder, having already racked up 84 convictions. And last month in the Northern Territory, an 18-year-old allegedly stabbed grocery store owner Linford Feick to death. It has led to a feeling in many parts of the country, former Queensland prison boss Keith Hamburger says, that youth crime is a significant problem, and more needs to be done by governments to address and reduce it and the harm it causes. "There is a lot of fear and concern, particularly amongst older people, particularly when there is home invasions and the traffic incidents occurring, the community is quite alarmed," he says. But figuring out just how big a problem youth crime is, what's driving it and what can be done to reduce offending and the harm it causes is complicated, and often divisive. It's why Mr Hamburger wants a broader public conversation about the drivers of youth offending, and better decision-making around policies that are most likely to reduce crime rates. Criminal lawyer Nick Jane usually has between 30 and 40 children he is representing at any one time. Most of the children he represents are facing low-level charges for things like theft and property damage, but he also represents children facing serious charges like murder. Of the children he represents, he says there are usually themes around their backgrounds and life experiences. "Namely profound disadvantage," he says. "The vast majority of the children I deal with come with some kind of trauma, whether that is familial or family abuse, abuse while they have been in residential care, some kind of cognitive disorder or intellectual disability… developmental delays, some kind of disadvantage, trauma." The Melbourne lawyer says while community understanding of family violence is growing, it doesn't always publicly appreciate the long-term impacts on children. "Those children are victims too but when we then see that trauma manifesting itself five, 10 years later in social problems, drug use… we kind of forget that the genesis of that behaviour can really be traced back to family violence," he explains. He says there is also an over-representation of First Nations children and children living in residential care. For children that police and crime statistic agency have identified as children of most concern — children who are repeat offenders and commit serious crimes — there can be profound disadvantages, explains Monash University crime researcher Susan Baidawi. "This is a fairly small group of people who usually come into contact with the justice system at a fairly young age, they are usually characterised by higher prevalence of neuro-disability and they have also typically experienced a very high level of disadvantage and potentially victimisation," Dr Baidawi explains. The statistics aren't straightforward. The Australian Bureau of Statistics measures youth crime across the country by collecting and aggregating police statistics from every state and territory. Its data shows the number of youth offenders are lower for every state and territory compared with 2008-09. The same thing can be seen when comparing the number of youth offenders per 100,000 people — the rate has gone down, although there has been a slight uptick in some states and territories since COVID pandemic. But some states, like Victoria, have recorded a significant rise in youth crime, with its agencies also highlighting the number of incidents involving young offenders — not just the number of youth offenders. Macquarie University criminology lecturer and former police officer Victor Hurley says every jurisdiction measured crime differently, partly because each had different charges and thresholds for criminal offences. "It is so complex to get an understanding… each state and territory only frames it within their own legislation," Dr Hurley says. He says the statistics were also influenced by the frequency and size of police operations, which would increase the recorded instances of crime. "Whenever a police operation is in existence, regardless of what it is, youth are going to be caught up with charges," he says. Dr Hurley says due to these factors, he did not know what the true picture of youth crime was around Australia at the moment. However, he says on the whole, the evidence showed overall crime was declining. "One thing that people overlook is that crime in Australia has been going down for decades. The perception of crime is greater than the reality of crime." While all states and territories fund youth support and crime prevention programs to varying degrees, there's been a mood for change around bail laws and sentencing. In Queensland the Crisafulli Liberal government has introduced "Adult crime, adult time" legislation — which will see offenders as young as 10 face adult sentencing for a range of serious offences including murder, assault and robbery. That legislation has been supported by some families and communities affected by horrific youth crimes, who have publicly called for harsher sentencing. But it has also faced criticism, with two UN special rapporteurs calling the adult prison sentences for young people "incompatible with basic child rights". The Queensland government has also announced an inquiry into the child safety system, with Premier David Crisafulli linking failings in out-of-home care system and youth crime. "There is no coincidence that we have a broken child safety system and a youth crime crisis in this state, and we are determined to take action on both," he said when the inquiry was announced. In Victoria, the state Labor government passed legislation in March to make the bail test tougher for serious child offenders and children who commit crimes while on bail — a shift in position under Premier Jacinta Allan, who also backflipped on a plan to increase the age children can be arrested and jailed to 14, after it was increased from 10 to 12. Last year the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party government passed new laws to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 and increase police powers, and this year, the government also passed tougher bail laws after Mr Feick's death. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff last month said "all options are on the table" to address the state's youth crime, while in NSW police in April launched Operation Soteria to target up to 100 young "ringleaders" committing violent crimes in the state's north and west. A NSW inquiry into regional youth crime has also made preliminary findings calling for more early intervention programs, while the state has plans to extend its bail reforms until 2028. In South Australia, the government has also raised concerns about the small number of children who are repeat offenders. It announced tougher bail laws for repeat offenders and increasing police powers for officers dealing with youth street gangs. In Western Australia Labor Premier Roger Cook made an election promise to toughen bail laws and expedite trials for children accused of offending while on bail. While the ACT is moving in a different direction to the states, it has announced the age of criminal responsibility will be raised for all but the most serious crimes to 14 years of age in July. The territory is also rolling out therapeutic support panels to assess and help rehabilitate young people. Just how successful tougher prison sentences are at reducing crime rates is often debated. For Dr Baidawi it depends on the time frame. If governments want an immediate drop in crime numbers, then she says they are going to invest in prisons. But she warns that is not going to contribute to long-term success, because eventually young offenders will be released from prison and the country's recidivism rates are high. In Australia 42.5 per cent of prisoners released during 2020-2021 had returned to prison within two years, with the Northern Territory recording the highest recidivism rate at 58.2 per cent. For young offenders that rate of reoffending can be even higher — a Victorian study of more than 5,000 children sentenced in that state's Children's Court in 2008-09 found 61 per cent had reoffended within six years. Dr Baidawi attributes past drops in crime rates in Australia and overseas to a greater focus on diversion programs, to keep young offenders out of prison. "We have seen research from Australia that has shown that the rates of reoffending are lower when younger people are processed by diversionary mechanisms," she says. What she wants to see is greater investment in preventative measures. "Investing in school enrichment, pre-school supports, early support and assessment with disability and mental health needs, these things will bear fruit, but they might only bear fruit five or ten years later." Australia's very high recidivism rates indicate to former prison boss Keith Hamburger that our justice systems are part of the problem with young crime. "We are not nipping this in the bud early in the offender's offending career, so they get churned through the courts and the detention centres for perhaps lesser crimes, they go out, keep repeating and they come back," he explains. "These children have had horrible circumstances that they are coming from, now when we talk tough, tough is not the answer — they have had tough. What they need is rehabilitation." But that doesn't mean he is against youth detention. He says communities still need to be kept safe from serious young offenders and these young people need a secure facility where they can be provided with life-changing supports. What he is now advocating for is a youth detention centre transformation. He wants states to move towards building small detention centres close to communities where young people are coming from, so they can be provided with individual rehabilitation plans that include the young person's family and community. He's not the only person to link current custody models with high reoffending rates. In March, retiring Northern Territory Supreme Court Judge Jenny Blokland described imprisonment, and the significant use of it, as "a wicked problem" and said it appeared to be driving repeat offending. While in WA the Police Commissioner Col Blanch said many arrests of young people could be prevented with greater support services for the children earlier in their lives. For criminologist Victor Hurley, one hurdle governments face in creating policy to address youth crime is the election cycle. "The is no general long-term plan by most governments around Australia into crime reduction. Most programs are built on an election cycle. So how can there possibly be rehabilitation based on a four-year funding cycle?" he asks. Dr Hurley says it's important to remember that there won't be one answer that is right for all young offenders. "There will always be individuals who will always break the law, and that's what jails for," he says. "Do I generally think that locking young people up is an answer? No." He says each individual will respond differently to pressure points within the policing and court system. "A bit of discretion can often be the right answer for some kids. But there are other kids that will end up living a life of crime."
ABC News
13-05-2025
- ABC News
Teen charged with machete robbery denied bail as tough new NT bail laws kick in
A teenager who allegedly robbed a bottle shop armed with a machete, after the rehabilitation program he was successfully completing was defunded, has been denied bail under strict new Northern Territory laws. The NT parliament passed the new bail laws last month in response to an unrelated case — the fatal stabbing of Darwin supermarket owner Linford Feick during a confrontation with an alleged thief. Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, 18, has since been charged with his murder and will return to court on June 25. Under the new laws, judges must have "a high degree of confidence" that alleged offenders will not "endanger the safety of the community" before granting bail. The reforms also removed a requirement for courts to only remand youths in custody "as a last resort". In separate cases before the Youth Justice Court on Monday, two teenage boys were denied bail to enter rehabilitation programs. Lawyer for both boys, Jenna McHugh, asked judge Thomasin Opie to grant her clients bail, saying critical staffing shortages at the youth detention facility in Holtze meant young detainees were being locked down for 23 hours a day. She said one of the boys — a 15-year-old with diagnosed depression and ADHD — was not receiving regular education at the facility and had been denied pencils and paper in his cell. The teenager is facing an aggravated robbery charge for allegedly brandishing a machete inside a Celebrations bottle shop. While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegation, Ms McHugh said the rehabilitation facility would provide a "semi-custodial" setting and the teenager was willing to follow strict conditions including a curfew, electronic monitoring and alcohol and drug tests. Judge Opie noted the teenager had last year been bailed to attend a rehabilitative program, in which he went on to become "one of our success stories". But she said the program had since been defunded, resulting in the teenager's supports being pulled. "That's when his reoffending commenced," she said. Prosecutor Damien Jones told the court he had "no confidence" the teenager would comply with the bail conditions and insisted community safety was paramount, despite the boy's positive history. "Where there has been the use of bladed weapons, it has resulted in people's deaths," he said. Ms McHugh argued community safety would be better protected by rehabilitating young alleged offenders. "If he gets out and doesn't go to [rehabilitation] and doesn't receive support … then the community is at greater risk, in my submission, than they would otherwise be," she said. But in denying bail, Judge Opie said while the conditions for young people on remand were "not conducive" to rehabilitation or mental health, the test set by the new laws had not been met. Another 15-year-old boy charged with serious offences, including aggravated robbery, was also denied bail on Monday, despite being deemed suitable for the rehabilitation program. Ms McHugh said the teenager had been on remand for more than a month and had experienced "significant bullying" during that period. She said the NT government's Specialist Assessment and Treatment team had previously declined to assess him for autism and his lawyers were seeking advice from an independent paediatrician. "Those appointments have to keep on getting put off because he's in custody," she said. The teenager appeared in person before the court and told Judge Opie he had overcome his reliance on drugs while in custody. "I would just like to say that the time you have given me in detention has really given me time to think about the plan of what I should do with my life," he said. But prosecutor Garmmeni Alakiotis said the teenager had previously been unable to comply with strict bail conditions and posed "a real risk" of further violent offending. "As mentioned earlier today on previous matters, the court has to consider the safety of the community," she said.
ABC News
09-05-2025
- ABC News
Mourner of NT grocer Linford Feick injured by brick thrown at car hours after funeral
A woman was struck by a brick thrown through the window of a moving car in Darwin just hours after attending the funeral of shop owner Linford Feick, who was fatally stabbed last month. The Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) said a brick was thrown through a rear side window of a vehicle travelling on Bagot Road, one of Darwin's main thoroughfares, about 10:20pm on Wednesday. "The vehicle was carrying four occupants, with a woman suffering a serious injury to her eye," police said in a statement. "Police and St John Ambulance attended and the woman was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment." The four people inside the car included mourners and family members of Nightcliff stabbing victim Linford Feick, and had attended his funeral just hours earlier. The 71-year-old owner of Darwin's Friendly Grocer was killed last month in an alleged stabbing incident at his Nightcliff grocery store. Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, 18, has been charged with murder. On Thursday, police located three children, aged eight, nine and 11, believed to have been involved in the incident. "Police are engaging with the families of the children, along with the Department of Children and Families," NTPF said in a statement. "Police have also engaged with the victims of the rock throwing." In an earlier statement on Thursday, the NTPF said three people had fled into nearby Bagot Community, Darwin's largest Aboriginal community. But Bagot Community leader Natalie Harwood said the alleged offender was not from the community. "We have a lot of visitors that come in and out of Bagot," she said. "We are a very tight-knit community, we have strong leaders ... we're trying to work with police and community residents about doing the right thing. "It's an open community and people run into this community, they drive in in stolen cars and leave them here and make Bagot look like a bad place." Larrakia traditional owner Edwin Fejo said there were "a lot of positive things" that happened in Bagot Community. "We work together, we all stay together, we're all like a big family," he said. "We try hard to work together to make it a better place and a positive place. "It's unfortunate that [the incident] happened just outside of Bagot, we show our sympathy and our emotions are also with the [Feick] family."
ABC News
09-05-2025
- ABC News
Relative of slain Darwin grocer Linford Feick injured by brick thrown at car
A relative of shop owner Linford Feick, who was fatally stabbed last month, was struck by a brick thrown through the window of a moving car in Darwin, just hours after attending Mr Feick's funeral. The Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) said a brick was thrown through a rear side window of a vehicle travelling on Bagot Road, one of Darwin's main thoroughfares, about 10:20pm on Wednesday. "The vehicle was carrying four occupants, with a woman suffering a serious injury to her eye," police said in a statement. "Police and St John Ambulance attended and the woman was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment." The four people inside the car were mourners and family members of Nightcliff stabbing victim Linford Feick, and had attended his funeral just hours earlier. The 71-year-old owner of Darwin's Friendly Grocer was killed last month in an alleged stabbing incident at his Nightcliff grocery store. Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, 18, has been charged with murder. On Thursday, police located three children, aged eight, nine and 11, believed to have been involved in the incident. "Police are engaging with the families of the children, along with the Department of Children and Families," NTPF said in a statement. "Police have also engaged with the victims of the rock throwing." In an earlier statement on Thursday, the NTPF said three people had fled into nearby Bagot Community, Darwin's largest Aboriginal community. But Bagot Community leader Natalie Harwood said the alleged offender was not from the community. "We have a lot of visitors that come in and out of Bagot," she said. "We are a very tight-knit community, we have strong leaders ... we're trying to work with police and community residents about doing the right thing. "It's an open community and people run into this community, they drive in in stolen cars and leave them here and make Bagot look like a bad place." Larrakia traditional owner Edwin Fejo said there were "a lot of positive things" that happened in Bagot Community. "We work together, we all stay together, we're all like a big family," he said. "We try hard to work together to make it a better place and a positive place. "It's unfortunate that [the incident] happened just outside of Bagot, we show our sympathy and our emotions are also with the [Feick] family."
ABC News
07-05-2025
- ABC News
Hundreds mourn Darwin Friendly Grocer owner Linford Feick at public funeral
Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a public funeral service to honour the life of beloved Darwin grocer Linford Feick, 71, who was killed last month during a confrontation with an alleged shoplifter. Mr Feick's family was joined by close friends and staff of the Friendly Grocer inside the small Resthaven chapel in Darwin's east on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of people attend the public funeral for the NT grocer. ( Supplied: Pema Pakhrin / NT News ) At least 100 more mourners watched a livestream of the service outside the chapel, including friends and community members. The tragic death of Linford Feick has rocked the close-knit Nightcliff community. ( Supplied: Pema Pakhrin / NT News ) Hundreds gathered outside the Resthaven chapel where Linford Feick's public funeral was being held. ( Supplied: Pema Pakhrin / NT News ) Mr Feick was killed outside his grocery store in the Darwin suburb of Nightcliff, where he confronted a man allegedly shoplifting from the store. His death rocked the close-knit Nightcliff community and prompted the government to Chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and former chief minister Natasha Fyles, who also represented the seat of Nightcliff, attended the funeral along with several other current and former NT politicians. Several politicians, including Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro attended the public funeral of Linford Feick. ( Supplied: Pema Pakhrin / NT News ) Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, the funeral service focused on celebrating Mr Feick's life. Mr Feick was a husband, father of three children, "poppy" to seven grandchildren, and proud owner of a local business. He has been described as a true gentleman and a pillar of the community. "Dad was a man of kindness, sincerity, love and did nothing but advocate for keeping it local," said Mr Feick's daughter Joanne Feick in a statement on social media. Mr Feick's family thanked the Darwin community for their support in the aftermath of the tragedy. Ben Feick says he's grateful for the way the community has come together to support his family. ( Supplied: Pema Pakhrin / NT News ) His son, Ben Feick has previously said the "love from the community" gave the family strength to reopen the store. "We're a community store — we're built by the community and this is what we do it for." " We bloody well feel it now. " 18-year-old Phillip Randel Maurice Parry has been charged with murder over Mr Feick's death. His matter is due to return to court next month.
