Push to lift age of criminality

AUSTRALIA’S Indigenous Affairs Minister says she is committed to getting the age of criminal responsibility raised across the country.

Her call to action comes amid news the Don Dale youth detention centre in the Northern Territory was the site of four self-harm incidents in the space of a weekend – including one reported suicide attempt.

It prompted renewed calls for all Australian jurisdictions to follow the lead of the ACT and Tasmania in raising the age of criminality from 10 to 14.

While the NT AttorneyGeneral last week confirmed he would “make sure” the age is raised during this term of government, many are concerned it will only go to 12, rather than 14, as recommended by the United Nations and medical and legal experts.

While the age of criminal responsibility is ultimately a matter for individual states and territories, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney said she would make sure it was high on their agenda.

“Ten is too young and we’ll be working with the states and territories to address it,” she said.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus echoed Ms Burney’s sentiment, saying it was an issue he would be raising at a future Meeting of AttorneysGeneral.

LIFELINE: 13 11 14