South Australia’s government has released draft laws that would make it tougher for serious repeat youth offenders to access bail, alongside new investment in rehabilitation programs aimed at long-term change.
While official figures show South Australia has one of the lowest youth offender rates in the country, the government says a small number of repeat offenders are behind a large share of criminal charges. Data from the Courts Administration Authority reveals that just 20 young people were responsible for between 11 and 13 per cent of all Youth Court charges.
The proposed changes, part of the Young Offender Plan, include automatically declaring individuals who repeatedly commit serious offences as recidivist youth offenders. Under the draft legislation, those identified as such would face a presumption against bail if taken into custody for another serious offence.
The government says the aim is to give courts greater scope to impose tougher penalties where appropriate and to reduce the likelihood of reoffending among those who pose the highest risk to the community.
Alongside the legal reforms, a $3 million investment over three years will fund targeted intervention programs for high-risk young people. The programs will be designed and led by the Department of Human Services, with an emphasis on personalised and culturally-informed support. They will also look to link young participants with existing services, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the changes aim to strike a balance between community safety and giving young people a better chance to turn their lives around. He acknowledged that while South Australia’s youth crime rate remains low, more tailored responses are needed for the small cohort repeatedly coming into contact with the justice system.
The draft bill has been released for consultation with legal bodies, community stakeholders and the wider public. Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday 20 August 2025.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
✨#SouthAustralia proposes tougher bail laws for repeat youth offenders. ⚖️$3M for rehabilitation programs over 3 years. 📊20 youths account for 11-13% of Youth Court charges. 📝Public consultation open until 20 Aug. #TheIndianSun @kymaher
🔗 https://t.co/f6GXAR9rIv pic.twitter.com/o2O56xuQ2t
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) July 23, 2025
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
