UPDATE: Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has just announced a controversial plan to impose adult sentences on children as young as 14 years old for serious crimes, igniting widespread backlash from human rights advocates and legal experts. This dramatic shift, dubbed “adult time for violent crime,” follows a troubling surge in crime rates—up 15.7 percent in just one year—fuelled by home invasions and repeat youth offenders.
Under the proposed legislation, which could be introduced to parliament before the end of 2025, children aged 14 and above involved in crimes such as aggravated carjacking, home invasions, and causing intentional injury will be prosecuted in the County Court. In severe cases, offenders could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Premier Allan read aloud a heartfelt letter from a woman whose husband was stabbed while intervening in a car theft, stating, “I do apologise and that is why we are taking this action today.” This move aims to prioritize community safety and reflects a growing concern over rising crime in Victoria.
Critics are alarmed by the implications of this policy shift. Police Association Victoria Secretary Wayne Gatt acknowledged the need for consequences, but cautioned that simply increasing penalties may not lead to substantial changes in average sentences. “The devil will be in the detail,” he noted, emphasizing the need for comprehensive sentencing reform.
Human rights advocates, including the acting Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, Argiri Alisandratos, condemned the plan as lacking evidence-based support. “We can’t just lock children away and hope for a safer community,” Alisandratos asserted.
Organizations like Liberty Victoria have warned that these laws could violate international obligations, while the Human Rights Law Centre criticized the initiative as a political maneuver rather than a genuine solution. The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service highlighted that the legislation would disproportionately impact young Aboriginal people, already over-represented in the justice system.
The urgency of this issue resonates as Victoria gears up for a historic election in November 2026. The government is keen to address crime as a defining electoral topic, but opponents argue that they are importing “failed policies” from Queensland, which enacted similar laws following the high-profile murder of Emma Lovell during a home invasion in 2022.
As public outcry grows, the future of this legislation remains uncertain. Advocates are calling for a focus on early intervention programs instead of punitive measures. The question now is whether Victoria’s government will heed these warnings or push forward with drastic legal changes.
For immediate support, individuals can reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14.
