News

Brisbane-based not-for-profit, the Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC), has formally demonstrated its commitment to advancing reconciliation by launching its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).   The RAP provides a clear framework for YAC to strengthen its contribution to the national reconciliation movement. It aligns closely with the organisation’s ongoing advocacy for systemic reform to address the overrepresentation…

Every year, thousands of children encounter the legal system, many for the first time. Brisbane-based not-for-profit, the Youth Advocacy Centre, has today released an animated video designed to support and empower children and young people navigating children’s courts in Queensland. The animation provides clear, accessible information to help children and young people understand what to…

If you are a young person looking for more information about the Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, you can find that in our legal information section here: About the Adult Crime, Adult Time laws. These include the changes from the Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024.

We are deeply saddened to have learnt of the passing of barrister James Benjamin last week. James was an outstanding advocate for young people involved in the youth justice and children protection systems in Queensland. James worked at Legal Aid, including as a valued member of the youth team, before going to the private bar…

It was great to co-host a Youth Justice Roundtable discussion with QCOSS and Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd today with so many experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate community leaders, youth organisations, and reform advocates. We look forward to continued collaboration over the coming months as we push for youth justice reform in Queensland. See more…

Last week Youth Advocacy Centre CEO, Katherine Hayes, appeared before the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee in Queensland, alongside representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd The hearings have been an opportunity for sector experts to provide to the Committee their insights as to what youth justice reform should look like. There were positive…

Support YAC and encourage change with our ‘Break the Cycle’ t-shirt! You can purchase a t-shirt on our online store.

Our Sunshine Coast office had a boost to its outreach activities through the Sunshine Coast Council Community Grant. YAC was able to purchase a new marquee, banners, and balls and cards to engage with young people through NAIDOC and future events. The playing cards also feature a call to action for young people in need…

We are failing our children Queensland is winning the race that no one wants to – we are locking up more children than any other state*. The current youth justice system does not adequately support young people to get their lives back on track and prevent further offending, and in many cases exacerbates the issue…

All children have a right to education. But suspensions and exclusions are going disproportionately to students with a disability. Between 2016-2020, students with disability received 46% of all short-term suspensions, despite making up about 17% of the Queensland school population. The A Right to Learn Campaign is publicly calling on the Queensland Government to conduct…