On Tuesday 28th October, the Victorian Government announced it will reopen the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in April 2026. The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) once again strongly condemns this punitive approach; regressive decision-making only risks further entrenchment of young people within the justice system. The Victorian Aboriginal Community have tirelessly advocated to halt Victoria’s reformed bail laws, to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, and investment in community-driven programs and initiatives that will work for our young people.
The Malmsbury facility has been closed for the past two years. According to Minister for Youth Justice, Enver Erdogan, it is reopening due to the increase of young people in custody under the new bail laws, which came into effect earlier this year. The facility will have an initial capacity of 30 beds and 114 staff recruited, with the operation to cost $141 million over five years.
‘If the government truly cares about community safety, not to mention the wellbeing and future of our children and young people, they must do more than just listening. These children have been failed by the state and the systems supposedly designed to support them and their families. Instead of redesigning systems and providing the needed services, the state is ignoring children crying out for help.’ – Bonnie Dukakis, CEO KYC
Read the full media release below:
