UPDATE: Australia is facing a growing outcry over its treatment of children in the justice system, with reports revealing that over 400 children have been held in adult watch-houses in the Northern Territory from August 2024 to March 2025. The alarming rise in child incarceration is drawing international condemnation, marking a national crisis that demands immediate attention.
The disturbing trend includes the re-introduction of dangerous practices like spit hoods, and potential life sentences for children as young as 10 years old in states like Queensland. These developments have raised serious questions about the moral responsibility of the government, particularly the Prime Minister, who has yet to take decisive action against these harmful policies.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately affected, facing incarceration rates 29 times higher than their non-Indigenous peers. Despite pledges to Close the Gap, many state and territory governments continue to enact laws that exacerbate this crisis, pushing vulnerable children into a punitive system instead of providing necessary support.
Officials from the Justice and Equity Centre and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have consulted legal counsel on the Commonwealth’s power to intervene. The advice indicates that the federal government could establish a national minimum age of legal responsibility, aligning Australia with international standards set by treaties such as the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
The implications of this legal guidance are profound. The government has not only a moral obligation but also the authority to protect its children from being treated as hardened criminals. The current approach is failing, with evidence showing that incarceration leads to a cycle of reoffending. Community-led initiatives focused on education, mental health care, and cultural connection have proven more effective in supporting children and their communities.
The Prime Minister must act decisively. How many more children will be subjected to the trauma of incarceration? How many will suffer the indignity of being treated as criminals before the government takes responsibility? The call for urgent reform is not just a matter of policy; it’s about the future of Australia’s children.
As the international community watches, advocates are demanding immediate changes to prevent further tragedies. The evidence is clear: the time for action is now. Children deserve to be celebrated, not incarcerated. If the Prime Minister truly values the future of Australia’s youth, he must prioritize their protection and well-being.
This urgent situation is developing, and the public is urged to raise their voices. The safety and futures of countless children depend on the government’s next moves. As advocates continue their fight, the world is left to wonder: when will the Prime Minister finally take a stand?
Stay informed as this critical issue unfolds.
