The Victorian Greens have warned Premier Allan against watering down the government’s plans to raise the age, following reports of internal pressure within Labor’s ranks.
The Greens say if the government scraps its plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027, vulnerable young people will be needlessly pushed through the school-to-prison pipeline.
For decades First Nations communities have called for the age to be raised to 14, backed by both legal and health experts, as well as a mountain of evidence.
Victorian Greens justice spokesperson, Katherine Copsey, said backpedalling on a policy that would reduce the over-incarceration of First Nations people would be another stain on the Victorian Labor Government’s so-called commitment to First Nations justice.
As stated by Victorian Greens justice spokesperson, Katherine Copsey MLC:
“Kids belong in schools, not prisons.
“For decades First Nations communities have called for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to 14, backed by expert legal and health advice.
“If Premier Allan caves to pressure and waters down Labor’s policy, it will be a dark day for First Nations justice.
“This government needs to grow a spine and raise the age to 14 as soon as possible.”
