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ACWA Conference 2012 Romola Hollywood, Manager Social Policy and Advocacy

The push-pull of politics Reflections on the powers of persuasion, persistence and patience in the public policy process to reform the NSW juvenile justice system. ACWA Conference 2012 Romola Hollywood, Manager Social Policy and Advocacy David Fisher, Public Affairs Coordinator

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ACWA Conference 2012 Romola Hollywood, Manager Social Policy and Advocacy

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  1. The push-pull of politicsReflections on the powers of persuasion, persistence and patience in the public policy processto reform the NSW juvenile justice system ACWA Conference 2012 Romola Hollywood, Manager Social Policy and Advocacy David Fisher, Public Affairs Coordinator Social Justice Unit

  2. “...The German thinker Max Weber said that politics is ‘the slow boring of hard boards and anyone who seeks to do it must risk his own soul’....”

  3. Road map for today • Summary of JJ advocacy work 2008 -2010 • Policy and advocacy opportunities, approaches and outcomes since 2010 • Where we are “today”? • Future opportunities and challenges • Questions

  4. JJ Advocacy Snapshot 2008-2010 Spike in remand numbers in 2007/2008 NGOs responses: • Burnside Background Paper: Locked into remand, Feb 2009 • NGO Sector Position Paper: Releasing the pressure on remand, Oct 2009 • YJC Research paper: Bail me out, Sept 2009

  5. The push-pull of politics Noetic Report

  6. July-August 2010

  7. State Election 2011

  8. Rebuilding the momentum … NGO forum on Juvenile Justice in Parliament House 2010

  9. Burnside Election Platform • Juvenile Justice steps included: • There should be a comprehensive review of the Bail Act • Using Justice Reinvestment as the basis for reform of Juvenile Justice

  10. Responses to Burnside election platform • The Coalition • A pledge to undertake a ‘comprehensive and consultative review of the Bail Act. • Also committed to examine the application of section 22a to young people. • The Labor Party • The ALP made no commitments at all on Bail. • The Greens • Agreed  

  11. Keeping juvenile justice reform on the agenda Daily Telegraph 7/7/11 Sydney Morning Herald 14/4/11

  12. The Premier and Attorney General announce jointly Review of Bail Act • In announcing the Review of Bail, Premier says: “I’m concerned that juveniles charged with petty offences are being forced to mix with hardened criminals while on remand…. This is particularly disturbing when many of the young offenders are eventually released by the courts without any custodial sentence” June 2011

  13. NSW Law Reform Commission Bail Law Review • Short time for submissions given • Burnside recommendations went further than our election document • We recommended a separate Bail Act for Young People & Adults. • A motion supporting Bail Reform was also passed by the Uniting Church Synod.

  14. The Media Storm

  15. Waiting…waiting…waiting … December 2011 January 2012 February 2012 March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June …………………………

  16. The NSW LRC Report Released • Finally report was released on 13 June – the day after the budget & over 6 months late • Some good recommendations • Government response was….. • Another 6 months delay

  17. The Fall Out • Shock jock attacks continued • And the Premier’s position? “Nothing's going to go through cabinet that will weaken the state's bail laws...” • The current bail laws remains in place • Remand numbers for children and young people continue to remain high

  18. So, where are we now? • After almost 5 years, are we any closer to genuine bail reform? • Convergence of media & politics on reform process • Is a genuine, rationale debate possible? • What are the opportunities for reform of the juvenile justice system? • Is it time to build stronger public pressure?

  19. Opportunities … for change …

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