Queensland Government Information Paper
Youth Violence Taskforce
The Youth Violence Taskforce was set up by the Beattie Government in late 2006 to examine ways to reduce incidents of violent behaviour among young Queenslanders.
Chaired by Police Minister Judy Spence and co-chaired by the Minister for Communities Warren Pitt, the Taskforce consists of representatives from key agencies and community members who meet once a month to canvas range of issues.
Five key areas have already been identified for examination including:
- the role of alcohol and drug use
- family breakdown and structure
- behaviour management
- group violence and social violence
- education.
Youth Violence Taskforce Report
The Youth Violence Taskforce has completed its Report for Government detailing a comprehensive list of recommendations aimed at reducing the prevalence of youth violence in Queensland.
The Report focuses on violence reduction strategies incorporating legislative reform, long term education and social policy. To view the report and attachments please click on "Taskforce Report and Attachments" located on the side menu.
A joint media statement released by Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence announcing the Report is available at Youth Violence Joint Statement (
16 KB).
Updated Media releases
- 31/05/2007 - Minister J SPENCE Announces Forum on Youth Violence (
10 KB) - 01/04/2007 - Minister J SPENCE Asks Taskforce to Investigate Weapon Use (
12 KB) - 15/12/2006 - YVT to inform Liquor Act Review (
15 KB) - 05/12/2006 - Ad Campaign Sends Sobering Message to Young Party Goers (
17 KB) - 07/11/2006 - YVT Holds its First Meeting (
11 KB) - 15/10/2006 - YVT Members Announced (
30 KB) - 01/10/2006 - Premier Announces Task Force (
18 KB)
Youth Violence Taskforce members
The members of the Youth Violence Taskforce are:
- Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport, Ms Judy Spence MP (Chair).
- Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth, Ms Lindy Nelson-Carr MP (Deputy Chair).
- Commissioner of Police, Mr Bob Atkinson APM.
- Mr Nathan Appo, First Contact.
- Dr William Bor, Director, Kids in Mind Research: Mater Centre for Service Research in Mental Health.
- Mr Adam Barnes, Youth and Family Support.
- Ms Jonty Bush, CEO, Homicide Victims Support Group.
- Mr Kevin Charlesworth, Vice-President, Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Association.
- Ms Leanne Clare SC, Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Mr Neville Coventry, Co-Visions Australia.
- Ms Jenny Cranston, Deputy Director General, Education, Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
- Ms Corelle Davies, Child Safety Director, Queensland Health.
- Dr Rebecca Denning, Manager, Criminal Justice Research, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
- Mr Siyavash Doostkhah, Director, Youth Affairs Network of Qld (YANQ).
- Ms Faiza El-Higzi, President of the Al-Nisa' Youth Group Inc.
- Mr Tagipo Faanana, Pacific Islander Community Elder.
- Ms Jayde Fuller, Youth Justice and former president Queensland Youth Council.
- Mr Mark Gladman, Chaplain at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.
- Mr Steve Maguire, Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs.
- Professor Paul Mazerolle, Professor of Criminology, Griffith University and Director of the Griffith University Violence esearch Program.
- Ms Jane Moynihan, Director, Law and Justice Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
- Pastor Andrew Oyet, Baptist Pastor and President of seven African churches, who works closely with Sudanese youth.
- Mr Steve Renouf, Ambassador for Indigenous Sport, DLGPSR.
- Mr Terry Ryan, Director, Strategic Policy, Justice and Attorney-General.
- Ms Tala Schultz, Pacific Islander Representative.
- Mr Paul Stanley, Matthew Stanley Foundation.
- Mr Matthew Swift, Operations Manager, YMCA Brisbane.
- Mr Michael Tansky, Director, Office for Youth, Department of Communities.
- Mr Tuan Tran, Assistant President of the Queensland Vietnamese Community Association.
- Ms Patrea Walton, Assistant Director General, Student Services, Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
- Mr Chris Watters, Executive Director, Liquor Licensing, DTFTWID.
- Mr Phil Weightman MP, Member for Cleveland.
The Queensland Police Service is represented on the Taskforce by Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson.
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