As you are aware, the Queensland Government is in the process of reviewing the Juvenile Justice Act 1992.  YANQ recently held a forum for the sector to discuss the review and is urging all of our members and colleagues to make a submission.

As part of this Review, the Government has announced a consultation process and has released an Issues Paper (PDF 622 kB) for the Review of the Juvenile Justice Act 1992. The Review provides an opportunity to assess the current legislation toensure it is providing a best practice youth justice system for Queensland.

The consultation closes on Friday, 19 October 2007.  Here are some links to more information from the Department of Communities to help you write a submission:

• Terms of reference for the review
• How to have your say
• History of the Juvenile Justice Act
• Publications and Media releases
• Contact

We strongly urge youth sector members to lodge a submission to this Review. Your submission could be as short as a letter and you can use any information contained in either of the two attached documents (notes and summary from the forum - details below).

YANQ's Forum 

Youth Affairs Network of Queensland Inc (YANQ) held a forum on 18th September in Brisbane. During this forum representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS), Sisters Inside, Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC), Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) and Logan Youth Legal Services provided specific briefings on key issues relevant to the review.

The following two documents:

•  Summary of the Juvenile Justice Forum 48.85 Kb; and
•  Notes from the Juvenile Justice Forum 61.28 Kb

have been developed to assist members who did not get the opportunity to attend this forum to access the same information.

Unfortunately, YANQ currently does not have the resources to stage similar forums in other parts of the state. However, we are very keen to hear feedback from our members about the issues captured in the attached documents and/or other issues which we have not covered. YANQ is preparing a submission which will be lodged by 19th October therefore your feedback is urgently required. Please send your feedback to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The following organisations have indicated that they are happy to share their submissions with the sector:

• YANQ's submission will be available after 15th October from newyanq.dev.qldhosting.com.au
• ATSILS's submission will be available after 15th October from newyanq.dev.qldhosting.com.au
• Sisters Inside's submission will be available after 15th October from www.sistersinside.com.au
• YAC's submission will be available after 8th October. For a copy email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Logan Youth Legal Service's submission will be available after 15th October from the Youth Legal Service section of www.yfs.org.au
• Legal Aid Queensland: please contact Catherine Moynihan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it