This interim report summarises evidence and identifies key issues from an inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system. Evidence highlighted that Australia’s youth justice system is in crisis and vulnerable children and young people are being held in detention without adequate and appropriate supports. The report makes two recommendations.

This paper identifies a drastic deterioration in mental health for Generation Z and collates global research outcomes to explore the social and neurological factors driving the crisis. It highlights the increase in mental health issues, screen time, and addiction among young people alongside a decrease in their sense of purpose and community.

This report presents performance results for public hospital capacity, and emergency department and planned surgery waiting times; as well as hospital expenditure. It notes increasing wait times for essential surgeries and longer waits for patients in emergency departments; highlighting the need for increased investment by both state and federal governments.

This report reflects a whole-of-government effort to assess how evaluation is currently used to determine what works, for whom, and why. Findings show promising signs of increased evaluation efforts across the Australian Government. However, further work is needed to ensure evaluation practices are consistent, high‑quality and routinely used to inform policy design and delivery.

This report provides the findings of a survey of private practitioners who undertake the bulk of legal aid representation. Findings show the characteristics of private practitioners; the resource and case-related challenges they face in delivering legal aid; and the ways they could be better supported and retained.