Policing and detention
Media and commentary related to our work to provide critical oversight of NSW Police, prisons and youth detention centres, to protect human rights and ensure fair and lawful treatment.
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Prime Minister has the power to ensure children are safe and protected. It’s time for action.
Advice obtained from Senior Counsel by the JEC makes clear that the Commonwealth has the Constitutional power to act on youth justice reform.
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2SER: Crime stats show more kids are being locked up
JEC Solicitor Kate Sinclair joined 2SER to explain why locking up kids isn’t working.
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ABC NSW Drive: Jonathon Hunyor on failures of imprisoning children
Our CEO told ABC NSW Drive the NSW Government must stop locking up children and invest in communities instead.
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NIT: Aboriginal Legal Service calls NSW youth detention surge a ‘wake-up call’
We joined ALS in calling out the failure of the NSW Government’s law and order approach to community safety.
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New youth detention stats show failure of law and order response
BOCSAR data for the June 2025 quarter shows the NSW Government’s law and order response is failing.
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The Guardian: Does a NSW police anti-firearm scheme go too far?
Principal Solicitor Jonathan Hall Spence expressed concerns over the high numbers of Aboriginal people being subject to a little known police search power.
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NIT: Legal and community experts warn NSW Opposition bill to put more children in prison will increase crime
We joined an alliance of legal and community experts saying a Coalition bill calling for tougher child bail laws will backfire and increase crime.
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SMH: Why police can’t prove children like Harry committed serious crimes
Our CEO Jonathon Hunyor explained to the SMH why the NSW review into doli incapax is a distraction from the real issues.
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NITV: ACT chooses ‘care over cruelty’ by raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14
JEC CEO Jonathon Hunyor explained why the ACT Government have made the right decision for kids and communities.
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NIT: Aboriginal children routinely over-policed under NSW bail checks, legal group says
New research suggests ‘discriminatory patterns’ in how often NSW Police check on Aboriginal young people while they’re on bail.