While ANTaR Qld today welcomed the release of the long awaited Just Futures – the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Strategy 2012 - 2015, it called for a greater focus on youth.

Queensland has the fastest growing population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the country. Indigenous families are growing and most of that growth is in the towns and cities along the coast.

 “The system has failed. While crime rates have been going down in Queensland, the imprisonment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children have continued to rise.” said ANTaR Qld President Ms Kitty Carra today.

In June this year the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs tabled the report of its inquiry into the high level of involvement of Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system entitled Doing Time - Time for Doing: Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system.

 “The over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the care of child safety services is a ticking time bomb.” said Ms Carra today.

 “Closing the gap is not just about health checks. It is about belonging, healing, housing, education, and employment. The great disparity in life style and life outcomes must be overcome to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to enjoy the prosperity and abundance on offer in this great State.”

 Queensland is the only State in the country that still imprisons 17 year olds in adult prisons. Over 80% of arrest charges laid against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth are for are poverty related crimes including stealing, break and enter, good order and trespassing.

 “Just Futures goes some of the way to addressing the needs of our most vulnerable and hopefully preventing them from ending up in the justice system, but it does not go all the way. Queensland needs a Youth Justice Strategy. Families need a Youth Justice Strategy” said Ms Carra today