Liberal and Greens senators call for age of criminal responsibility to be lifted in wake of youth justice report
Summary
Senators from the Liberal and Greens parties in Australia want to raise the age when children can be held responsible for a crime. They made this request after a report showed that too many children, especially vulnerable groups, are being punished under unfair laws that vary by state. The senators also want a national plan to improve youth justice and protect children better.Key Facts
- The current age of criminal responsibility in most Australian states is 10 years old, except Victoria (12) and the ACT (14).
- Senators Andrew McLachlan (Liberal) and David Shoebridge (Greens) want all states and territories to raise this age to 14.
- A Senate report found youth crime is actually decreasing, despite media claims of rising crime.
- The youth justice system disproportionately punishes poor children, Indigenous (First Nations) kids, and those with disabilities or trauma.
- The Northern Territory has very high rates of child incarceration and has not cooperated fully with federal inquiries.
- Studies show many children in detention have disabilities such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
- Children with FASD are 19 times more likely to be locked up than other children.
- The Senate committee recommends national minimum youth justice standards and a new taskforce to improve child safety.
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