12 November 2025
The Greens have slammed a Government bill that passed the Upper House last night that will see youth offenders face harsher penalties and may see more young people pushed into the youth detention system.
Under the State Government’s Statutes Amendment (Recidivist Young Offenders) Bill young people who repeatedly offend would be automatically labelled as ‘recidivist young offenders’, removing judicial discretion, and will see them face harsher sentences and a presumption against bail. The Law Society has warned that the bill will likely substantially increase the number of children held in detention.
“The major parties have turned youth crime into a political football in the lead up to the state election. Locking more kids up might make headlines, but it also causes anxiety in the community and makes crime worse by limiting possibilities for rehabilitation. This is especially concerning given that according to the Guardian for Children and Young People, Aboriginal children and young people are 32 times more likely to be in detention than non-Aboriginal children,” said Greens MLC Robert Simms.
‘“The Attorney-General’s own Department acknowledges that South Australia is the second lowest jurisdiction in the country when it comes to youth offending. Despite this, the Labor Party continues to push draconian legislation through parliament.”
“If the Government is serious about youth crime it should be investing in the intervention and diversion services that focus on changing behaviour and building social skills, which are proven to work in reducing rates of recidivism amongst young people and will actually make our community safer.”