New data has revealed that while youth crime is rising, the Allan Labor Government is cutting youth detention beds and failing to supervise young offenders, putting community safety at risk.
Figures from the Report on Government Services (ROGS) show that despite increasing concerns about youth crime, the government has failed to ensure adequate capacity in Victoria's youth justice system. The data highlights:
- A decline in youth detention capacity – the number of permanently funded youth detention beds in Victoria has dropped from 276 in 2022/23 to just 249 in 2023/24, despite worsening youth crime trends.
- Youth detention bed utilisation sits at just 37 per cent – well below the national average of 56.9%, NSW at 61.9 per cent, and Queensland at 99.6 per cent, raising serious questions about whether available resources are being effectively used. In 2014/15, the bed utilisation rate was 67 per cent, showing a long-term decline in Victoria's youth detention system.
- Victoria now has fewer youth detention beds than Queensland and Western Australia – despite having a larger population, making it clear that Victoria is falling behind in its ability to manage and detain youth offenders.
- Community-based supervision is also declining, with the number of young offenders under supervision dropping from 235 in 2022/23 to 216 in 2023/24, further reducing oversight of at-risk youth.
With youth crime rates escalating across the state and reports of violent incidents increasing, the Allan Labor Government's failure to maintain an adequate youth justice system is making Victoria less safe.
Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick, said Labor's soft-on-crime approach is failing Victoria:
"Youth crime is spiralling out of control under the Allan Labor Government, with offences committed by children aged 10-17 reaching their highest levels since 2009. There were 23,810 incidents last year - a staggering 16.9 per cent increase in just 12 months. These aren't just numbers; they represent thousands of innocent Victorians who are paying the price for Labor's failures."
"We have young criminals running riot while Labor lets detention beds sit empty and slashes community-based supervision. This government is completely failing to protect Victorians."
"With violent assaults, carjackings, and aggravated burglaries on the rise, the message from Labor is clear – there are no consequences for young offenders in Victoria."
"This week the Premier came out and said her government would do more if needed. Aside from being completely out of touch with the concerns of Victorians – what more evidence does she need?"
"Victorians deserve a government that prioritises the safety of Victorian, not one that lets youth crime spiral out of control. The Liberals and Nationals are committed to stronger youth justice policies, real consequences for offenders, and protecting our communities."
