Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must explain why a long overdue upgrade of the Magill Training Centre youth detention facility has been neglected in its stimulus spending.

The Magill Training Centre is the oldest youth detention centre in South Australia and was this week described as “a living children’s rights abuse hell” by a United Nations youth representative. The South Australian Government shelved plans to replace the facility to make savings in this year’s state budget.

“The universal rights of children – whether they have committed offences or not – should not be degraded in the name of state budget savings,” said South Australian Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Youth and Human Rights.

“Young people are being detained in overcrowded, prison-like conditions that are not only damaging to mental health and wellbeing, but hazardous for the staff employed to care for them too.

“The Federal Government could have allocated some of its multi-billion dollar stimulus spending, which has been so widely touted within the school sector, to replace the Magill Training Centre.

“The federal Youth Minister, Kate Ellis, has a responsibility to speak up for the young people – including those in her home state – who are being held in this dangerous environment because of a state government that has not prioritised their welfare.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Federal Government had a responsibility to uphold the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Child, to which Australia is a signatory.

“It is a disgrace that the United Nations will be informed that this centre, in a wealthy nation like Australia, is a ‘living children’s rights abuse hell’,” she said.

“Juvenile detention must address the needs of the young people within the system, and help them in making a positive contribution to society.

“If young people do need to be detained, then this time should be used to assist with their long term growth and development.”

Senator Hanson-Young said she had requested to visit the facility to inspect the conditions for herself.

“I hope to be granted access to the Magill Training Centre soon, to gain a better understanding of what these young people need.”