Australia Heads Towards Raising Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility to 12

Security guards patrol the grounds near rolls of razor wire at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 9, 2005. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

All Australian state Attorney-Generals have agreed to support the development of a proposal raising the minimum criminal age of responsibility from 10 to 12-years on Friday.

Australia’s two territories have also committed to raising the age to 12 and will work on reforms, including adequate diversion programs and services.