This Supplementary Order Paper amends the definition of young person in clause 4, section 2(1), by raising the upper age in the definition to a person’s 18th birthday for youth justice and youth court so that 17 year olds are not sentenced as adults. Raising the age is recommended by the Children’s Commissioner, former Principal Youth Court Judge, Andrew Becroft. It also aligns the definition of a young person in the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 with regard to youth justice and youth court with the age of care and protection.

This Supplementary Order Paper also amends clause 6, section 7(2)(c), to add transparency in ensuring the voices of children and young people are given the regard they deserve.

This Supplementary Order Paper also proposes deleting clause 7 to remove new sections 7A, 7B, 7BA, 7C, 7CA, 7D, and 7E, which delegate statutory powers by the chief executive to persons who are not social workers.