Victorian labor splits over tough $204m youth detention plan
Premier Ben Carroll announced a $204 million plan to lock up children in secure facilities for low-level crimes.
Reported by The Guardian
ShareWhy it matters
The plan reveals deep fractures in Labor over law-and-order strategy just weeks before an election. Senior figures warn it abandons party values.
In Australia. The policy shapes Victoria's election campaign and signals what youth justice might look like under Labor in coming years.
Key facts
- $204 million
- Plan cost
- 2022
- Singh's previous role start
- Former Malmsbury youth justice centre
- Detention facility
- Monash law professor
- Critic position
- Carroll's 'tough love' scheme will send children who carry knives or steal cars to secure facilities.
- The former Malmsbury youth justice centre will be one such facility.
- Children will get schooling, drug treatment and life skills training.
- Carroll says breaking the cycle can turn young lives around.
- Singh says locking up children is 'misleading'.
- The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service called it mandatory sentencing.
- Labor MPs from across factional lines expressed alarm.
- Hilakari criticised the plan.
