Children aged 14 or over who commit violent crimes could face life in prison under Premier Jacinta Allan’s “adult time for violent crime” plan.
The Allan Labor government will introduce legislation to parliament in 2025 to amend the Crimes Act, the Children, Youth and Families Act and the Youth Justice Act.
Allan said this will mean more violent youth offenders going to jail, facing serious consequences.
“We want courts to treat these violent children like adults, so jail is more likely and sentences are longer,” she said.
“There are too many victims, not enough consequences. That’s why we’re introducing Adult Time for Violent Crime.”
The Labor government admitted the current youth sentencing system was not working as intended.
“Police, victims, and the community tell us children don’t fear the consequences, so they don’t respect the boundaries,” it said.
Adult Time for Violent Crime will apply to aggravated home invasion, home invasion, aggravated carjacking, carjacking, serious and repeated aggravated burglary, and serious and repeated armed robbery.
Anyone involved in an aggravated home invasion or aggravated carjacking could now face up to life in prison, up from 25 years.
Other crimes to be subject to the tough new laws will include intentionally or recklessly causing injury in circumstances of gross violence, such as a machete attack.
For children, the maximum jail sentence is currently three years for any offence. This will now increase to life for certain offences.
Multiple crimes will now be removed from the Children’s Court, with offenders now facing full trial and sentencing at the County Court.
“Legislative guidance will confirm that aggravated burglary and armed robbery offences should be heard in the County Court if they are serious and repeated,” the government said.
Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny said adult courts put more emphasis on victims, violence, and community safety.
“When child offenders are sentenced in an adult court, most go to jail,” she said.
“There are no easy solutions to youth crime, and the best approach is always to stop crime before it starts. But we absolutely need serious consequences for violent youth crime to protect the community now.”
Opposition Leader Calls For Fresh Start
In response to the latest announcement, Liberal leader Battin claimed Jacinta Allan had “no credibility” when it came to fighting crime.“Only we will deliver a safer, stronger Victoria where families live free from fear.”
The Coalition have promised to make bail laws stronger with a break bail, face jail policy.
They have also promised to introduce Jack’s Law to provide the police with the power to search for knives on the streets.
