Lia Finocchiaro doubles down on age of criminal responsibility ahead of first sitting of Parliament

The British Broadcasting Corporation has taken an interest in Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility, with an international reporter asking the CLP leader why she was not following the United Nation’s direction on jailing kids.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro told a packed media scrum she made “no apologies” for the suite of legislation reform her government will push this week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has told the British Broadcasting Corporation she makes “no apologies” for turning her back on the United Nations’ position on age of criminal responsibility, saying she is putting the rights of local children “above everything else”.

Ms Finocchiaro fronted a press conference at Parliament House on Monday to outline her government’s plan to introduce a string of reforms this week.

From Tuesday, the CLP is expected to table changes to the Bail Act, Sentencing Act, the Criminal Code, Police Administration Act, and Liquor Act.

The change asked of the most by the media scrum, however, was the CLP’s plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years of age.

Leader of Government Business Steve Edgington says new legislation will be introduced on Tuesday for debate on Wednesday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Among the reporters was a BBC journalist who asked Ms Finocchiaro why she would not follow the UN’s position on the jailing of kids.

“The UN says that 14 (years of age) is an absolute minimum for the criminal age of responsibility (and) the rest of Australia is talking about raising the age – why are you going in the opposite direction?”

Ironically, in England and Wales, the age of criminal responsibility happens to be 10 years of age, with Ms Finocchiaro returning in kind.

“No other jurisdiction in this country has taken the steps of the previous (Territory) Labor government by abandoning young people under the age of 12 and allowing them, unfettered, to go commit crimes against innocent Territorians,” she said.

“Those laws do not meet community expectation and they do not allow the government to intervene early in these young peoples lives when they committing such offences.”

Ms Finocchiaro said it had been made “very clear” to voters her government would lower the age of criminal responsibility.

“We make no apologies for delivering on our election commitment to make the Territory safe.”

When the British reporter said the international community might think “huge inequalities, even racism” existed in Australia due to the reform, Ms Finocchiaro hit back, saying those were the very issues her government was going to tackle “head on”.

“Young people deserve the very best opportunity to thrive and live their fullest life, and that’s why making sure they’re getting to school, holding their parents and families accountable for those that are failing them, making sure we have systems in place to intervene early, develop skills training and give them opportunities for the future is exactly what my government’s focus is.”

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy endorsed legislation change, saying it will enable his officers to “reduce crime rates”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy endorsed reform change.

“(These changes) will give police more powers to enforce the laws, be preventive and protect the Northern Territory and reduce crime rates – it’s quite simple.”

Of note, consequences for public nuisance drinking will also increase, with offenders subject to a $925 fine.

Ram raid and posting and boasting law changes were also urged by Mr Murphy.

“We’ve seen at least eight instances where we could probably enact posting and boasting legislation in the last eight weeks, particularly about young people in stolen cars promoting their activity,” he said.

Opposition leader Selena Uibo and Shadow Attorney-General Chansey Paech speak to media ahead of the first sitting of Parliament. Picture: Harry Brill.

Opposition leader Selena Uibo described the proposed amendments as “deeply concerning”.

“We know if a young person is locked up that it leads to a life cycle within the justice system, this is what concerns us,” she said.

“We have not heard anything from the CLP in regards to a strong plan about how to support these young people in the Territory who do fall off the right track.”

Despite just four Labor members having survived the landslide NT election in August, Ms Uibo said her team would debate policy to get “the best outcomes possible”.

“(It) is about making sure we truly reflect the needs and aspirations of the Territory and that our legislation is contemporary and that our legislation is not just brought in because of popularity contests by the new government,” she said.

“Our legislation (needs to be) meaningful and does make a positive impact for Territorians no matter where they live.”

Member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula says he is “very concerned” ahead of the first sitting of Parliament.. Rebecca Parker/TWAM

Independent Member for Mulka Yiŋiya Guyula echoed the opposition leader’s scepticism.

“I am very concerned about what this new government is proposing to do in the first sitting of Parliament,” he said.

“They want to pass many new laws on urgency, that will send more First Nations people to jail than ever before.

“These are jails that are already overflowing, and people are currently held in watch houses and police stations because there is not enough room.”

Mr Guyula said the amendments would create a “criminal culture”.

“We must have time, as a parliament and community, to make the best laws that bring real change,” he said.

Human Rights Legal Centre spokesman Nick Espie says the justice system “is already buckling”. Picture: Supplied.

In a joint statement released by the Coalition of Voices on Justice – a team made up of legal experts, community leaders and frontline workers – the government was urged to reconsider its plan.

“It’s not too late to step away from these regressive laws,” Smarter Justice for Safer Communities ambassador Leeanne Caton said.

“The NT already locks up more children than ever and this tired, old prison-first approach has repeatedly failed to reduce crime and make our community safer.”

Originally published as Lia Finocchiaro doubles down on age of criminal responsibility ahead of first sitting of Parliament