KAP: Kill bill, hold kids to account

NORTH Queensland MPS will attempt to squash a parliamentary bill to lower the age of criminal responsibility.

The debate, which will occur in Queensland parliament this week, follows what has been one of the worst months of crime for the region. Many cars have been found burnt out, and teenagers have allegedly been involved in crime sprees in stolen cars and carjackings.

Greens MP Michael Berkman introduced the bill into parliament last year, which if voted through, would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old.

He has proposed an alternative model for children under 14, which includes early intervention and prevention, therapeutic responses to antisocial behaviour, and intensive case management for serious problematic behaviour.

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter says he agrees with the Greens on one thing – the current youth justice system is not working.

However, he does not believe raising the age of criminal responsibility is the answer.

The party has referenced Children’s Court data that shows a sharp increase in theft-related charges over a five-year period with 6579 charges laid in 2014-2015 to 12,903 in 2020-21.

The data also showed young offenders were becoming more violent, with “acts intended to cause harm” charges rising from 1353 to 2397.

“Reducing responsibility and taking away the ability of police and the courts to intervene and hold offending children to account is not the answer,” Mr Katter said.

“It is important to note that for every crime, there is a victim and it is alarming how callous our politics is becoming towards the innocent people caught up in this crisis.”

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto said the government was yet to indicate if it would support the Greens bill.

Last month Attorney-general Shannon Fentiman said it would look at the minimum age of detention after Tasmania increased it from 10 to 14.

“Here in Queensland, very few young people – particularly aged 10 to 12 – actually are in detention,” she said.

“But I think it is an interesting reform to look at.”

Mr Dametto said raising the age of criminal responsibility would not fix the problem.

“A good place to start would be addressing why Child Safety continues to procrastinate on intervening if an at-risk child is not living in a safe family unit,” he said.

“Our youth need boundaries and until there is a deterrent for those committing crime and consequences that see these children being held accountable for their actions, society has very little chance of turning this problem around.”