Qld politics: Greens Bill raises age of criminal responsibility to 14

The Queensland Greens have tabled a Bill that would raise the state’s age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Queensland has missed a landmark opportunity to lead the nation in criminal reform which will prevent vulnerable children from being sent to, abused and traumatised in prison, the Greens have declared.

The left-of-politics party – which is basking in a new wave of support in Brisbane – introduced a private member’s Bill in Parliament this week to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.

Nationally, attorneys-general have agreed to continue the Age of Criminal Responsibility Working Group continuing its review and bring forward a proposal to increase the minimum age – with attention on eliminating the over-representation of First Nations children in prisons.

However, Greens MP Michael Berkman has pushed for the Queensland government to lead national reform, declaring he was “disgusted that they can continue to ignore the evidence and take the coward’s path”.

“We are disgusted that they will continue to politicise the lives and wellbeing of small children, predominantly First Nations children,” he said.

“Does it make sense that in the same year a child might still be losing baby teeth or receiving a symbolic pen licence from their teacher for reliably legible handwriting that they can receive a jail sentence?”

Opponents of the Greens’ plan argue the issue of youth justice is complex, and any change to the age of criminal responsibility must be met with an effective alternative.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the government’s priority was keeping the community safe, and declared a raft of work was necessary before the age could be increased.

“Any increase in the minimum age of criminal responsibility must be underpinned by an alternative response to those children who exhibit harmful behaviour, particularly those who pose an immediate risk to the community, to ensure the safety of the community,” she said.

“There would need to be arrangements in place to ensure that children who are currently subject to supervision continue to receive the support they need to facilitate their rehabilitation and therefore reduce the risk of any reoffending.”

Katter’s Australia Party MP Nick Dametto unleashed on the Greens’ push, noting detention was a last resort, meaning children who were in prison already “had a life of crime”.

“Before they have gotten to the detention centre there is a list of crimes committed as long as your arm,” he said.

“Every time one of those children commits a crime they are creating another victim that has lost their car or had their house broken into, another victim that tries every day to run a small business and has had their windows kicked in and bits and pieces stolen from their counters or been held up at knifepoint.

“Do not think for a second a child between the ages of 10 and 14 does not know right from wrong.”

More than 300 submissions were lodged to the committee considering the Greens’ bill, with just a handful opposing the move.