On 11 September 2024, the Senate referred the following matter to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, for inquiry and report by 26 November 2024:

Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system, with particular reference to:

a) the outcomes and impacts of youth incarceration in jurisdictions across Australia;
b) the over-incarceration of First Nations children;
c) the degree of compliance and non-compliance by state, territory and federal prisons and detention centres with the human rights of children and young people in detention;
d) the Commonwealth’s international obligations in regards to youth justice including the rights of the child, freedom from torture and civil rights;
e) the benefits and need for enforceable national minimum standards for youth justice consistent with our international obligations; and
f) any related matters.

The closing date for submissions is 10 October 2024. 

On 10 October 2024, the Senate agreed to extend the Committee's reporting date to 28 February 2025.

On 28 November 2024, the Senate agreed to further extend the Committee's reporting date to 1 July 2025.