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August 29, 2026

Labor investment in youth crime prevention

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Christian Tancred, General Manager of Byron Youth Service, with Justine Elliot MP and Byron Shire Councillor Asren Pugh at today’s announcement. Supplied

Member for Richmond Justine Elliot has announced that the Albanese Labor Government is delivering $500,000 for Byron Youth Service Inc. (BYS) to provide youth crime prevention programs through the Youth Empowerment Program.

The government’s Youth Empowerment Program is investing $28.3 million designed to improve community safety across the country, providing funding for programs for youth aged 10 to 17 who are engaged in, or at risk of becoming engaged in, criminal or anti-social behaviour.

Labor says this investment will make a positive impact on the lives of young people by promoting connections between at-risk youth, youth workers, families, schools and the community, and help to break cycles of crime and anti-social behaviours.

Vitally important

‘Labor’s funding for Byron Youth Service will support vitally important youth crime prevention programs, including individual support for young offenders, seminars in schools addressing issues such as consent and risky-driving, school holiday activities, and so much more,’ said Member for Richmond Justine Elliot.

‘BYS has a strong and established presence in our local community and I know they deliver effective and innovative programs for young people. I’m proud to be delivering significant funding for Richmond to strengthen community safety, alongside our $3 million election commitment for crime prevention infrastructure.

‘The choice is clear at this election,’ she said. ‘You can always count on me, and now I’m asking for your vote to keep delivering for our community and to build Australia’s future.’

This funding commitment is in addition to $293,323 Justine Elliot delivered to BYS in 2024. The Youth Empowerment Program grant outcomes were published on 4 March 2025.

The Albanese Labor Government says it is delivering significant investments to strengthen community safety and improve access to justice for all Australians.



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