Northern Territory of Australia to reinstate jailing of 10-year-olds to curb youth crime
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Australia's Northern Territory (NT) will soon reintroduce the policy of imprisoning children as young as 10, overturning a previous decision to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12.
The newly elected Country Liberal Party (CLP) government argues the move is necessary to tackle rising youth crime rates, although critics have voiced concerns that it will disproportionately impact Indigenous children, particularly those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro defended the decision, stating that the government's election victory gave them a mandate to act on youth crime. She argued that lowering the age will allow courts to place young offenders in programs aimed at addressing the root causes of their criminal behavior, with the most common offences being break-ins and assaults.
"We have an obligation both to the children who have been let down and to the community members who just want to feel safe," Finocchiaro said in a parliamentary session, emphasizing that the policy is part of a broader effort to restore public safety.
However, human rights groups, Indigenous organizations, and medical professionals have criticized the decision, arguing that it will not reduce crime and may further entrench young people in the criminal justice system. The Northern Territory already has the highest rate of child incarceration in Australia, with children jailed at a rate 11 times higher than in other parts of the country.
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo called the policy a "dark day" for the Northern Territory, highlighting research that shows early contact with the criminal justice system often leads to prolonged involvement. Uibo stressed the importance of holding children accountable while also providing them with support to make positive changes in their lives.
In addition to lowering the age of criminal responsibility, the NT government has tightened bail rules and introduced penalties for sharing or boasting about criminal activities on social media. The changes, which have not yet taken effect, will be implemented at a later date.
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory is the only region that has raised the age of criminal responsibility above 10. Victoria plans to implement similar legislation next year, and Tasmania has announced plans to raise the age to 14 by 2029.
