Alice Springs News
Government All Talk Still
Recent vandalism at the Alice Springs Golf Club has sparked calls for laws to be made holding parents responsible for the actions of their kids.
'The laws actually exist, but the laws were never tough enough, and they have not been adequately enforced', says Shadow Attorney-General, Jodeen Carney.
'In 2007, the Chief Minister issued a media release saying:
'I want to see laws in place that will help get irresponsible parents up to the plate and more accountable for their children's actions' 1
'In February 2008, the Chief Minister announced what he called:
'a comprehensive reform plan to tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour'. 2
'Part of the plan was creating Family Responsibility Agreements to:
'hold parents accountable for their child's anti-social behaviour or criminal activity'.3
'There have been many other media releases issued by Government Ministers, but the fact is Government has failed, and its 'tough' reforms have failed miserably'.
'At Estimates in June, the failures were obvious. 12 months after the laws took effect, only 6 Family Responsibility Agreements were made, and only 1 Order had been issued across the Territory'.
'If the figures have changed, I doubt that they would have changed by very much'.
'In contrast to the past flurry of media releases and announcements about 'tackling youth crime', these days Government is remarkably silent'.
'I said when the laws were debated in Parliament that Government should be more honest with Territorians and that all of the hype was misleading. I was right. 4
'The Country Liberals want the existing laws strengthened and implemented properly'.
1. Govt Media release 10/12/07
2. Govt Media release 11/2/08
3. ' '
4. Opposition media release 1/5/08
2009-09-29
