The Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly has voted to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, paving the way for other jurisdictions to reform an outmoded law which disproportionately affects Indigenous kids.
Amnesty International Australia campaigner, Joel Clark said:
“Amnesty congratulates the ACT on showing the other states and territories that raising the age in line with international standards is not only a well-overdue reform, but it’s also widely supported by the community.
Amnesty congratulates the ACT on showing the other states and territories that raising the age in line with international standards is not only a well-overdue reform, but it’s also widely supported by the community.
Amnesty International Australia campaigner, Joel Clark.
“We all know in our hearts that it’s wrong to lock little kids up, especially when all the evidence shows that diversion and justice reinvestment is what actually prevents youth offending.
“There should be nothing stopping other jurisdictions to follow suit. The longer they wait, the longer little kids are exposed to the harmful conditions of prison.”
The Councils of Attorneys-General last month voted to effectively delay raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 until 2021.
Amnesty International Australia has been campaigning for all governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility since 2015. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued General Comment 24 in 2019, which encouraged states to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least fourteen.
