Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier this year I wrote in the West Australian newspaper, detailing issues about the youth crime that was plaguing the north-west. Although some criticised me at the time for labelling the Kimberley 'a war zone', I continue to stand by those observations. Nearly a year on, work still needs to be done to curb the youth crime crisis, not only in the Kimberley but in many other parts of WA. It is truly heartbreaking that youth crime is still crippling many local communities across WA, and, although increased police numbers have been a welcome change, more needs to be done.

The appalling handling of the Banksia Hill Detention Centre crisis by the McGowan government shows that Labor are not prepared to tackle the hard issues. Many leading advocates are criticising McGowan's recent summit as nothing more than a political stunt with no commitment to change. The quality of care in detention is one thing, but we must take action to prevent the offending in the first place. We must urgently support these families who are in crisis. We must ensure that state and federal government's youth diversionary programs are fit for purpose, and we must start to make our communities feel safe. Whether it's youth crime, our failing health system in Western Australia or a lack of public housing, our families and our communities in regional Western Australia deserve so much better from the McGowan government.