The government of Australia’s Northern Territory has lowered the age of criminal responsibility back to 10 years old, reversing a previous decision to raise it to 12.
The change comes as part of efforts to tackle youth crime in the region, but it has sparked a significant backlash from doctors, human rights groups, and Indigenous communities according to BBC.
The new Country Liberal Party government, which was elected in August, argued that this move is necessary to reduce youth crime rates. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro defended the decision, saying it would allow courts to help young offenders through rehabilitation programs.
“We have this obligation to the child who has been let down in a number of ways, over a long period of time,” Finocchiaro told the parliament. “And we have [an obligation to] the people who just want to be safe, people who don’t want to live in fear anymore.”
The NT government has also introduced stricter bail rules and penalties for promoting crime on social media.
However, critics argue that the new law will not reduce crime and will disproportionately target Aboriginal children. The NT already has the highest rate of child imprisonment in Australia, with Aboriginal children making up the vast majority.
Selena Uibo, the opposition leader and the first Aboriginal woman to lead a major party in Australia, called it a “dark day” for the territory. “We know – because all of the evidence tells us this – that the earlier a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system, the more prolonged their involvement is likely to be,” Uibo said. “We want to see children held accountable for bad behaviour but then supported to get on a better path.”
The NT’s children’s commissioner, Shahleena Musk, said that Aboriginal children are more likely to be jailed and less likely to receive a warning than non-Aboriginal children. “We shouldn’t be seeing these kids going into a youth justice system which is harmful, ineffective, and only compounds the very issues we’re trying to change,” Musk said.
Independent MP Yingiya Guyula, who protested against the bill, called it “racist” and said it unfairly targets Indigenous people. “It is just colonisation – somebody else is making decisions for us in the community when they should be listening to our people,” Guyula stated.
Critics fear that this decision could slow down efforts in other parts of Australia to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory has raised the age above 10, and Victoria is set to do the same next year. Other states like Tasmania plan to follow by 2029.
The change in the Northern Territory will come into effect at a date yet to be confirmed.
