The creation of a Youth Justice portfolio will further strengthen the State Government's strategy to reduce juvenile crime.
Western Australia's first Youth Justice Minister, Eric Ripper, today said the new portfolio was part of the planned restructure of the existing Department for Community Services.
Recommendations for the new structure would be presented to Mr Ripper early next week.
He said setting up a separate Youth Justice Bureau would be a priority in implementing the report's recommendations.
"The introduction of the bureau is part of the Government's aim to develop a culture of excellence in providing juvenile justice services to the community," Mr Ripper said.
"It will be a specialist authority that will overcome the difficulties associated with the incompatibility of the tasks of the existing Department for Community Services.
"The bureau will concentrate on implementing the Government's juvenile justice policy which centres on early intervention, education and youth development programs, rehabilitation and isolation of the most serious repeat offenders.
"It will enable the remainder of the existing department to be more involved in broader areas such as services for families, child care and protection programs and early childhood care education."
Mr Ripper said the Youth Justice Bureau would work in with other agencies such as the Police and Children's Court and be directly responsible for remand and detention centres.
Mr Ripper also is Minister for the Family and Community Development as well as Youth Justice and Disability Services.
