Following the Federal Budget announcement, Amnesty International Australia expresses grave concern at the Australian Government’s continued failure to allocate funding for a National Youth Justice Framework that would keep Indigenous youth out of the criminal justice system.
In its 2026–27 Pre-Budget submissions, Amnesty International Australia urged the government to prioritise the establishment of a National Youth Justice Framework and to immediately end torture and all cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in youth detention, by investing in community-based and Indigenous-led diversion and support programs that prevent harm, reduce reoffending and keep communities safer.
“The latest federal budget again reflects Australia’s lack of political will to keep First Nations youth safe. Children have died in custody as recently as last year, and these deaths were and are preventable. Every day these systems continue to operate as they do, they put lives at risk,” says Kacey Teerman, Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Strategic Campaigner.
“Every day these systems continue to operate as they do, they put lives at risk,”
Kacey Teerman, Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Strategic Campaigner
“The government has missed a critical opportunity to build on its 2022 Justice Reinvestment commitment and scale up First Nations-led prevention and diversion. Without increased federal leadership and funding, states will keep relying on the systems that are failing First Nations youth, their families and communities.
“Our youth and communities deserve to be kept safe. Locking up children does not make communities safer; it just increases the chances of re-offending. The Government must recognise the urgency of ensuring stronger diversionary programs and justice reinvestment initiatives.”
Amnesty International Australia also called on the government strengthen its response to the climate crisis, by committing to stronger taxation of oil, coal, and gas companies so that those responsible for driving climate change fund a transition to renewable energy that is rooted in respect for human rights.
“Our human rights are at the centre of climate change. Rights such as the right to housing and a healthy environment are already under threat across Australia extreme weather events ramp up, with marginalised communities bearing the brunt.
“The government must put community before big business’ profits, and start making those responsible for human rights abuses fund the response to climate change,” said Kyinzom Dhongdue, Amnesty International Australia’s Strategic Campaigns Manager.
The Federal Budget’s decision to maintain, rather than increase, the humanitarian and refugee intake remains out of step with the urgent global need to protect those fleeing war, persecution and crisis.
“Amid an increasingly turbulent global human rights landscape, what this Federal Budget shows is that Australia has once again failed to meet its moral and legal obligations in relation to First Nations youth, climate justice and to people seeking safety.”
Kyinzom Dhongdue, Amnesty International Australia’s Strategic Campaigns Manager
“Amid an increasingly turbulent global human rights landscape, what this Federal Budget shows is that Australia has once again failed to meet its moral and legal obligations in relation to First Nations youth, climate justice and to people seeking safety.
“The Australian Government must urgently reconsider its priorities. Amnesty International Australia calls on the Government to centre human rights in decisions that affect disproportionately impacted and already marginalised communities across the country.”
Background
Amnesty International Australia’s 2026-27 budget submission included recommendations that the Australian Government:
First Nations youth justice
- Invest in effective programs aimed at reducing the over-imprisonment of First Nations young people.
- Fund a Youth Justice Framework
- Ban the use of practices on young people that breach international law
Climate
- Commit to a fair, fast and funded phase out of fossil fuels
- Increase funding for the transition to renewable energy with respect for human rights as a core principle of the transition
- Provide funding for communities to prepare and respond to the impacts of climate change
Refugees
- Increase offshore Humanitarian Program places to 30,000 per annum
- Expedite outstanding applications by Afghans
- Establish a quota for intake of Rohingya refugees
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