Canberra Liberals to move amendments to make 12 years old the minimum age of criminal responsibility

The Canberra Liberals will move amendments in the ACT Legislative Assembly to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old, without further increasing it to 14 years old at this stage.

Shadow Attorney-General, Peter Cain, has indicated that he will move amendments to the Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 when it is debated today.

Mr Cain will seek to amend the Bill to make 12 years the minimum age of criminal responsibility and provide for a sunset clause for an independent statutory review of the changes two years after commencement.

“The Bill in its current form is not fit for purpose and does not meet community expectations,” Mr Cain said.

“Informed by extensive stakeholder and community consultation, the Canberra Liberals believe that raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years presents the most evidence-based option to reduce youth interactions with the criminal justice system.

“There is no doubt that the minimum age of criminal responsibility is presently too young and must be raised, it is not acceptable that 10 year old children may be held criminally responsible for their actions.

“However, unilaterally raising the age to 14 years creates a significant legal inconsistency with our neighbouring jurisdictions, which comes with the risk of unintended consequences.

“The proposed carveouts for children aged 12 or 13 years convicted of severe crimes such as murder or sexual assault further represent a profound legal inconsistency and is logically incoherent.

“Essentially, Labor and the Greens are taking it too far, too early.”

“This Labor-Greens government’s proposed reform is disjointed and disingenuous. They are approaching it from ideological perspectives, rather than evidential or pragmatic bases.

“The Canberra Liberals will champion the most evidence-based, sensible reform of this issue,” Mr Cain concluded.