Media Release – Age of Criminal Responsibility

Media Release | 25 October 2021  

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today called on the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian Parliament to take urgent action to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14.

“When we criminalise a child, we fail as a community to recognise and respond to the underlying needs of that child and lose the valuable opportunity to steer their development in a positive direction,” Ms Webb said.

“We know without a doubt, that incarcerating children virtually guarantees future criminal behaviour and perpetuates the harm to that child and the cost to our community.”

Ms Webb tabled a motion in the Legislative Council in June to prompt a public and parliamentary discussion on this issue.

“The fact that Australia doesn’t as yet have a national approach shouldn’t hold Tasmania back from this opportunity to be both smarter and more compassionate when it comes to responding to the needs of children in our State.”

Ms Webb said since her motion was tabled, the State Government has announced its decision to close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and embark on a major reform of youth justice. 

“This is now an ideal time to ensure that part of this reform is a commitment to raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years of age.”

Read Meg’s Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility Motion

See more of Meg’s recent media.