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Download AudioNorthcote MP Shanan Halbert wants to see truancy officers back in schools.
Mr Halbert is holding a community hui tomorrow to talk about the spate of shootings in the city and what can be done to tackle the drivers of crime.
He says electorate surveys have identified a desire for more support for young people so they don’t sign up to gangs.
The former teacher says in the past a lot of that support came from truancy officers.
“We do have a problem with truancy at the moment since Covid-19. It is a contributor to the reasons we are seeing so many young people involved in the gang warfare. That’s why we’ve got to be concerned. So that’s the solution I’m putting up – I’d love to see truancy officers back in schools. Those relationships are important,” Mr Halbert says.
Budget 2022 includes $40 million for truancy services over the next four years, but he even more may be needed.
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