Next week, Attorney-Generals across Australia will meet to discuss the current age of criminal responsibility which is 10 years of age in most states.
Why do we believe children should be in playgrounds and not prisons – here are some facts:
- Prisons don’t have the capacity to provide the care and support a child needs.
- Children in prisons are at greater risk of injury, self-harm and a life of recividism.⁺
- It costs $713,940 per year to hold one child in youth detention versus $280 a day if they are supported with community supervision.*
- Medical research shows children aged 10-13 lack emotional, mental and neurological maturity to understand the consequences of their actions.^
- Investment in trauma-informed supports and early intervention deliver better outcomes for children than detention.
- Children need to be with their families and have the support of their community and culture to thrive.
Please join with us this week in Raise the Age’s Week of Action and show your support and increase awareness of raising the age of criminal responsibility – follow and share our social media campaign or directly contact the Federal and your State’s Attorney-Generals to let them know the age should be raised when they meet on 1 December.
Attorney-General Offices
Federal - Mark Dreyfus MP, 02 6277 7300
ACT - Shane Rattenbury MP, (02) 6205 0005
NSW - Michael Daley MP, (02) 7225 6070
NT - Chansey Paech MP, (08) 8936 5688
QLD - Y’vette D’Ath MP, (07) 3719 7400
SA - Kyam Maher MLC, (08) 7322 7050
WA - John Quigley MLA, (08) 6552 6800
VIC - Jaclyn Syme MLC, (03) 8684 1111
TAS - Guy Barnett LLM, (03) 6165 7678
⁺Productivity Commission Report
*NSW Budget estimates 2022 and Justice Reform Initiative Report, December 2021
^Raise the Age
