The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:33): I move:

(1)That this House commends the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, Tamworth Justice Collaborative and local stakeholders on the development and delivery of the Yilaan.gaal Dhina youth diversion program.

(2)That this House notes that Yilaan.gaal Dhina, meaning "fresh footprints" in the Gamilaraay language, was developed following a police-led community meeting in July 2023, and in partnership with BackTrack Youth Works, with the goal of reducing youth crime and creating real pathways for vulnerable young people.

(3)That this House acknowledges the program's success in working intensively with five high-risk youths over a 16-week trial, achieving a significant reduction in police interactions, with one participant entering full-time employment, two gaining stable housing and others gaining work skills, life documents and meaningful engagement.

(4)That this House recognises the program's positive ripple effect on more than 20 young associates whose engagement in crime also dropped during the trial.

(5)That this House applauds the efforts of Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council project officer Joanne Stead and CEO Fiona Snape; the NSW Police Force Youth Command; Reece Scheumack from the Youth Action Meeting; Jocelyn Cockbain from the Tamworth Coalition of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations; and the young participants for their role in the program's success.

(6)That this House encourages further support from all levels of government and the local business community to continue and expand this promising place-based model that empowers young people, strengthens communities and makes Tamworth safer.

Motion agreed to.