Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Central Australia are invited to apply for funding to support justice reinvestment initiatives under the Albanese Government's $10 million Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program.
The Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program forms part of the Government's $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia, with communities in the Central Australian region of the Northern Territory eligible to apply for funding.
The funding is available to support community-led, place-based initiatives aimed at crime prevention, treatment of drug and alcohol addiction and diversionary supports for illegal drug use. Communities in Central Australia can also apply under the National Justice Reinvestment Program.
Justice Reinvestment supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, communities and leaders to determine local solutions to prevent at-risk youth and adults coming into contact, or re-entering the criminal justice system. It's about community-led and holistic approaches to improve people's life outcomes and create safer communities.
This announcement demonstrates the Government's commitment to working in partnership with First Nations people and organisations to reduce the overrepresentation of young people and adults in the criminal justice system.
This is in line with the Priority Reforms and Outcomes 10 and 11 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program is open for applications year-round. Applications can be submitted on the Community Grants Hub website.
For further information on the Justice Reinvestment Program can be found on the Attorney-General's Department website.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP:
"Improved outcomes for children and young people, and safer, thriving communities, are core to our $250 million landmark commitment.
"We know how important it is to empower communities in Central Australia to make decisions about the policies that affect their lives."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP:
"This is such an important part of our $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.
"Justice Reinvestment is about supporting communities to come up with the solutions to some of the challenges in the region.
"We are committed to working with communities to make a real, practical difference to peoples' lives in Central Australia and improve community safety."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Lingiari, the Hon Marion Scrymgour MP:
"Justice Reinvestment is a program that has been proven to have a significant impact on the outcomes of young people. Justice Reinvestment is all about trying to prevent young people entering the justice system – where bad behaviour is often reinforced. It's about prevention, local solutions, and is designed by local communities."
"Getting these programs up and running is an important part of the process of making Alice Springs and all Central Australian communities safer."