Bootcamp plan for youth unveiled for election launch

Resumen detallado

Rival party launches will be held less than two weeks before the Victorian state election as the government and opposition zero in on crime issues.

Young people convicted of crimes would be forced to do farm work, laundry, cooking and attend daily education programs under a state opposition plan.

The policy pitch will be outlined on Sunday when Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson launches her election campaign in Melbourne on the same day as Labor holds a similar event.

The rival launches, held just under two weeks out from the state poll, cement crime as one of the central issues in the campaign.

Premier Ben Carroll a week earlier announced a forced rehabilitation program for young offenders, which quickly attracted criticism from youth justice advocates.

Under the coalition pledge, young offenders would be sent to a new, in-house program at the former Dhurringile Prison, in central Victoria, in a scheme inspired by Queensland's Circuit Breaker program.

"Our tough new bootcamps will instil the discipline and respect lacking in so many young offenders and give them the skills they need to get on the right path," Ms Wilson said.

Courts will be given the power to send offenders aged 14 to 17 to the bootcamp as an alternative to a community corrections order or other custodial sentence.

Offenders would be ordered to take part in the daily program, where daily tasks include physical activity, farm work, cleaning, maintenance and cooking.

"Our bootcamps will give young offenders structure, discipline and practical skills while making it clear that their actions have consequences," coalition youth justice spokeswoman Renee Heath said.

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