Discussions Held with NSW Premier on Youth Crime and Community Safety

Published on 29 October 2025

We thank Premier Minns for taking the time to meet with us and for his genuine interest in the challenges being faced by our community. It was an open and frank discussion about youth crime, youth services, and the ongoing impacts being experienced across the Walgett Shire and our wider region.

This issue is deeply important to our community, and it was encouraging to hear the Premier acknowledge the significant effect that these problems are having on our residents, families and young people. We also thank our local Member, Roy Butler, for helping to facilitate the meeting, and the Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, for meeting with us separately to discuss local policing and community safety.

Council’s immediate priority is to secure funding for late-night youth services and to progress discussions around on-country residential diversionary programs that deliver real and lasting outcomes for young people.

Now is the time for action; enough is enough. Our community cannot continue to experience these same issues without change. We look forward to positive outcomes from our funding requests and to meeting with the Premier again in the coming weeks to continue this important discussion.

Pictured below: NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon with Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jasen Ramien