Rough time for juvenile `justice'

By Sabina Nowak

ADELAIDE-- The chairperson of the parliamentary Juvenile Justice Select Committee, Terry Groom, has been sharply criticised for proposed changes to state laws on juvenile crime. Groom tabled the proposals on March 25, calling for a return to “old-fashioned family discipline”.

Groom's plans include wider power for the courts to treat youths as adults, heavier penalties, making parents liable for injury, damage or loss caused by their children. Police would be given more power, including the power to set victim compensation.

Even the Liberal legal affairs spokesperson, Trevor Griffin, criticised the moves, saying they could bankrupt innocent parents.

The Australian Democrats' state parliamentary leader, Ian Gilfillan, said the proposals would require courts to find parents “guilty of being bad parents”.

He also said, “There is always the risk that a rebellious child will deliberately cause trouble because it knows it will impact on parents”.

Lesley High, spokesperson for the national youth organisation Resistance, said: “There is no question that the juvenile justice system needs reform, but punishing parents or increasing prison sentences is not the answer.

“More emphasis needs to be put into solving the problems behind crime -- such as feelings of disempowerment from the political system, poverty, unemployment and a lack of real voice in the community.”

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