54 Reasons and Save the Children Australia have welcomed the recommendations delivered by the Senate Inquiry into Youth Justice today, which include the development of national minimum standards, calling it a long-overdue step toward respecting children’s rights in the justice system and delivering better community outcomes.
Together, 54 reasons and Save the Children urge the Federal Government to adopt this important recommendation – but called for the standards to be enforceable, otherwise they risk being ineffective.
The Inquiry’s findings echo our National Youth Justice Scorecard, which found that five of Australia's eight states and territories have gone backwards since 2023 and all eight have systematically denied children their rights since 2023.
Vicki Mau, Executive Director of 54 Reasons, said the recommendations reflect what the evidence - and children themselves - have been telling governments for years.
“Today’s recommendations are a welcome recognition that every child in this country should have the same basic protections, no matter who they are or how the trajectory of their life has unfolded,” she said.
“National minimum standards are a sensible step forward and we urge the Federal Government to adopt this important recommendation, but to be effective these standards must be enforceable, with strong monitoring and oversight so that governments are accountable for meeting them.
“The gold standard approach to youth justice is one that prevents harm by addressing its root causes through early intervention, rather than relying on punishment and imprisonment.
"We know that children in detention are often those most failed by the system, including kids with undiagnosed disabilities, deep trauma, child-protection histories, and who are often victims of serious crimes and family and domestic violence themselves."
Robert*, 15, who has been in touch with the youth justice system multiple times and spent a month in youth detention last year, said it can become a cycle that was difficult to break.
“Well, if you're inside, like juvenile or jail or something, you really don't get that much support... and then when you get out, you're just repeating the same shit, doing the same shit all over again,” he said.
Robert says his life began to change after he connected with 54 reasons in September 2025. Without that support, he says “I’d still be out there. I’d be sleeping in a cell”.
In their report, committee members reflected on the numerous horrific experiences shared by children and young people in Australia's youth justice system throughout the inquiry.
Ms Mau said 54 reasons staff across Australia often hear distressing firsthand accounts from children about their experiences in a youth justice system that is not fit for purpose.
"This report shows why it is imperative that the experiences of children and young people in contact with the justice system are used to inform the creation of a system that keeps everyone safe," she said.
“Raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending practices like solitary confinement and the use of adult facilities for children, ensuring detention is used only as a last resort, and properly funding early intervention and diversion programs aren't radical ideas - they're what the evidence shows us works and are supported in additional comments from key Committee members.”
Since receiving support from 54 reasons, Robert has not re-offended and has re-enrolled at school. With mentoring, education support, and practical opportunities from his youth worker, he is building a more positive future.
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