Key Points
A Rebecca White Labor Government will keep our community safe.
After 10 years of the Liberals, the community is increasingly concerned about rising crime without enough police officers to handle it.
That’s why Labor will support our police to take on Tasmania’s worst criminals, and invest in programs to prevent young people going down the wrong path.
In the wake of the Commission of Inquiry, it’s clear Tasmania’s youth justice system is not working. We need an effective and safe system that reduces crime and reoffending.
Labor’s Plan will:
- Implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry
- Invest $3.7 million in JCP Youth’s BEAST program, which offers 24/7 outreach support and mentorship for young people
- Commit to safe Police staffing levels and get more police back on the beat
- Fund Operation Saturate, a dedicated police taskforce targeting repeat offenders and career criminals
- Employ 60 more Police officers by 2030
- Restore transparent reporting on crime rates
- Give victims a voice on the Parole Board
- Close Ashley Youth Detention Centre as soon as possible, and provide alternative, evidence-based programs for young people who touch the youth justice system
- Plan for a dedicated Youth Court and youth watch-houses
Why we need it
After a decade of Liberal Government, crime has risen 32% and nearly 13% of Police officers are on leave due to an active workers’ compensation claim.
Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry has shown that our youth justice system has failed.
“We will deliver a youth justice system that supports young people and keeps our community safe”
We need an evidence-based, effective plan to address youth justice and community safety.
The details
A Labor Government will:
1. Implement the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations
A Rebecca White Labor Government reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. We will get done what the Government haven’t.
2. Close Ashley Youth Detention Centre and support evidence-based programs – including JCP Youth’s BEAST program – to reduce reoffending
Labor reaffirms our commitment to close Ashley as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will fund programs such as JCP Youth’s groundbreaking BEAST program, which offers sustainable mentorship and support to young people at risk of entering the youth justice system. We will also work with stakeholders to identify and support alternative and additional programs for young people.
We’ll also get TAFE back into Risdon to make sure people can leave prison with a meaningful qualification and pathways into work.
3. Restore transparent crime reporting
Labor will restore transparent reporting of crime levels by area, which has been removed by the Liberal Government. And we will use this data to deploy more Police to areas which need it most.
4. Deploy Operation Saturate
A Labor Government will deploy the Operation Saturate taskforce across the state to areas with high crime levels. This dedicated, highly-qualified taskforce targets Tasmania’s worst repeat offenders and career criminals, and by monitoring their actions can hold them accountable and prevent further crimes.
5. Commit to more Police, safe Police staffing levels and a workforce plan
A Rebecca White Labor Government is committed to safe staffing levels and will employ 60 more Police officers by 2030, targeting to areas with the highest crime rates and in the greatest need.
We will also:
- Develop a Strategic Workforce Plan for Tasmania Police and support research to better understand Tasmania Police’s workforce and wellbeing
- Develop a more efficient, empathetic and timely approach to processing workers’ compensation cases – including the removal of step-down provisions – which will reduce the number of Police on workers’ compensation and return more back to the frontline.
- Provide dedicated funding the Country Station Relief Policy to make sure officers are backfilled and regional communities aren’t left in the lurch.
- Commit to developing an electronic rostering and payroll system for Tasmania Police, to deliver payroll efficiencies and better management of major incidents, major events and fatigue.
6. Increase penalties for assaults on frontline workers
A Rebecca White Labor Government would create new offences in the Criminal Code to target offences of assaults, stalking, harassment and intimidation against frontline workers, including health and emergency services, retail, hospitality and transportation workers. This would mean that those offences could attract a maximum penalty of up to 21 years imprisonment.
7. Increase offences for hate crimes
A Labor Government will create a series of new offences in the Police Offences Act and Criminal Code that mean people can be charged with hate crimes. This means that when someone commits a crime and they are motivated by racism, homophobia, disability discrimination or other forms of hatred, they will be charged with an offence that takes that into account. We will also amend the Sentencing Act to allow courts to consider hate crimes in sentencing as well.
8. Stand up for victims of crime
A Rebecca White Labor Government has listened to victims of crime and will include a dedicated victim’s voice on the Parole Board. This will mean that victims can choose to address the Parole Board hearings in person, with the right support and protection to do so.
9. Plan for a standalone Youth Court
A Labor Government is committed to a standalone Youth Court and youth watch-houses, to allow the court system to deal with matters involving children and young people more quickly and more appropriately.