Acknowledgement of this serious issue is not a new thing. The AIJA has been attempting to address the issue in its Indigenous justice and youth justice conferences since 2002.

There are many complex contributing factors for the over-representation of Indigenous youth in detention. However, what all of these young people have in common is that they have been through the justice system. That’s why - as judicial officers, court administrators, members of the legal profession, who aspire to excellence in judicial administration -  we cannot ignore this issue.

The conference will examine many of the thorny, complex issues associated with Indigenous youth justice and to promote meaningful discussion about ways to improve the situation. We will be guided by the conference’s expert presenters, including elders, community leaders, medical specialists and academics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the judiciary and legal profession.

Indigenous justice is a strategic priority area for the AIJA and something I feel strongly about contributing to improvements. I’m confident that the AIJA Indigenous Youth Justice Conference – the first we have been able to hold in-person since 2019 – will inform meaningful conversations about potential ways to help reduce over-representation and improve Indigenous youth justice outcomes."

The Honourable Justice Jenny Blokland
President
Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration