Youth crime crisis addressed in Budget

The State Government has committed millions of dollars to address youth crime and drug abuse in the Kimberley, as part of this year’s Budget.

A string of announcements were made for the region as the McGowan Government handed down its third Budget earlier this afternoon, including $6.5 million to improve community safety and $900,000 towards a Kimberley Juvenile Strategy to find alternatives to detention.

Other youth crime initiatives include $1.1 million for a Kimberley Family Violence Service, $2 million to establish a PCYC in Kununurra and $1.3 million for a West Kimberley Youth and Resilience Hub Project at the existing Broome PCYC.

An additional $42.5 million has been allocated for the Statewide Methamphetamine Action Plan, which includes $20.1 million for a North West Drug and Alcohol Support program, $9.2 million towards developing an alcohol and drug youth service in the region, $2.34 million for low medical withdrawal beds and $914,000 to increase training for Aboriginal workers in drug services.

Other funding includes $1 million towards the Dampier Peninsula Project, $1.9 million for the Fitzroy River Management Plan, $10 million to support development in the Ord and $1 million for the Kimberley Mobile Dialysis Unit.

More than $1 million was set aside to plan for a new Broome Regional Prison outside the town, as reported in today’s Broome Advertiser.

Although $5.9 million has been allocated to purchase a new harbour crane for the Port of Broome, prayers for a safe boat launching facility in the tourist town were not answered.

Premier Mark McGowan said the Budget continued the strong investment his Government had made in the Kimberley to create jobs and service local families.

“The Budget includes significant funding to address crime and youth justice issues in the region,” he said.

More in next week’s Broome Advertiser.