Australia: Children as Young as 10 Face Incarceration Again in Northern Territory

Sydney, Australia: Children as young as 10 could soon face incarceration in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) following the government’s decision to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 back to 10.

The new Country Liberal Party (CLP) government argues this change is necessary to combat rising youth crime, despite opposition from medical professionals, human rights groups, and Indigenous advocates who warn it will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Critics highlight that the NT already jails children at a rate 11 times higher than other regions. They contend that incarceration increases the likelihood of reoffending and has negative impacts on health and education. Protests erupted against the bill, with activists claiming it is rooted in racism.

While the NT is reversing its policy, other Australian jurisdictions are moving to raise the age of criminal responsibility, with only the Australian Capital Territory currently allowing it above 10.