The Victorian government has walked back on its commitment to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 as part of ongoing youth justice reforms.
Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday announced the backflip on the long-advocated reform ahead of state parliament resuming.
The state government is pushing on with legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 and other youth justice changes.
It will bring Victoria in line with the Northern Territory and the ACT, which have both committed to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility above 10 years.
They include changes to the Bail Act to highlight aggravated burglary, carjacking and home invasion as crimes that pose an unacceptable community risk and a new charge of committing a serious offence while on bail for adults and children
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton welcomed the raise the age backflip and the targeting of dangerous driving, aggravated burglary, home invasion and armed robbery.
The impact of legislative changes in the law and order space are felt for years after they are made, in some cases decades. Stability and an unwavering focus on the protection of the community and the rights of victims of crime should always remain the primary concern of law makers.”
