Victoria walks back plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14

The Victorian government has walked back on its commitment to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 as part of ongoing youth justice reforms.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the government would take decisive action against youth offenders, including strengthening the bail test for young people who commit serious crimes.

She confirmed the government would move to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 but would not go any further.

READ MORE: Bill Shorten to announce new 'Trust Exchange' for digital ID

It will bring Victoria in line with the Northern Territory and the ACT, which have both committed to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility above 10 years.

The government vowed to lift that age in 2023, from 10 to 12, and again from 12-14 after mounting pressure from medical authorities, legal experts and Indigenous organisations.

"The legislation before the government will raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12, and that is where it will stay," Allan said.

"This decision has been made at a different time by a different government and by a different premier.

"The decision has been made to keep the criminal responsibility to 12, to maintain a focus on the child. That is what the youth justice bill is about."

Under the proposed amendments to the Youth Justice Bill 2024, bail decision-makers will need to assess both the risk to community safety and the risk of further serious offending when deciding if bail is appropriate.

READ MORE: Teenagers arrested after more than 100 headstones destroyed in Toowoomba cemetery

This would relate to youth offenders who have committed a serious offence such as aggravated burglary or robbery, dangerous driving, carjacking or home invasion.

Repeat offenders would also face tougher fights for freedom, with the government creating a new offence for committing a serious crime, including burglary, carjacking, murder and rape – while on bail.

There will also be a trial of electronic monitoring and more intensive bail supervision, along with intensive bail supervision and stronger powers to transfer young people over 18 to adult prison.

"These reforms deliver action on both ends of the spectrum, it's helping kids get back on track, ensuring repeat offenders face serious consequences and I look forward to working with parliament to make these changes," Allan said.

"Bail is a privilege, not a given."

READ MORE: How this mum is keeping her kids full for just 31 cents

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton welcomed the government's reforms.

"Community safety (is) the absolute focus," he said.

"I am pleased to say we support the amendments and I think they will do a positive thing for community safety."

Despite this, The Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said police members were growing frustrated by the "constant yo-yo effect of tightening and loosening legislation that impacts community safety".

"The government's endless vacillation on law and order issues demoralises police members, who devote their career to the protection of victims of crime and the community," he said.

The impact of legislative changes in the law and order space are felt for years after they are made, in some cases decades. Stability and an unwavering focus on the protection of the community and the rights of victims of crime should always remain the primary concern of law makers."

READ MORE: Body found in search for missing five-year-old in New Zealand

It comes just days after a 19-year-old boy was killed after an allegedly stolen car with teenagers inside ploughed into his motorbike in Melbourne's north.

A 16-year-old boy who police believe was a passenger of the stolen car fled on foot was arrested shortly after and released without charge.

It's understood he was already on bail at the time of the crash.

"While legally I can't go into the details of what happened over the weekend, what we do know is that yet another family has been left devastated and heartbroken," Allan said.

"And still there is a cohort of young people who think they can offend and reoffend and get away with it. Actions must have serious consequences."