Share and Follow
The Victorian government’s latest reforms, seemingly inspired by the 2024 policy from Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, could mean that some young offenders might face life imprisonment. This would also mark a departure from the current approach where incarceration is considered a “last resort.”
Critics have pointed fingers at Jacinta Allan, accusing her of being too lenient, saying, “Victoria is in a crime crisis because Jacinta Allan is weak on crime.”
However, Police Minister Dan Purdie later acknowledged in state parliament that the previously reported figures were incorrect. The actual decrease in crime was 6.5 percent, a discrepancy he attributed to human error, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Some argue this approach is more about electoral gain than evidence-based policy, saying, “It’s about winning elections rather than actually looking at what the evidence is.”
The outlined plan is slated for implementation in 2026, according to officials.
Small groups driving youth crime spikes, experts say
She said the plan will be implemented in 2026.
“Prison does not work to address the drivers of why it is that kids are coming into contact with the justice system, and the experience of imprisonment makes it more likely someone will go on to re-offend,” she said.
‘Punishing trauma is not the answer’
The organisation warns that further reforms could have a “similarly devastating impact”.
Mindy Sotiri, executive director of the Justice Reform Initiative, said while children should be held accountable for their actions, prisons do not keep the community safer. Source: AAP / Con Chronis
VALS CEO, Nerita Wright, said: “Moving children to adult courts will only achieve one thing, further entrenchment of criminalisation.”
Daley agrees. “The reason why we have a separate youth justice system is to try and do as much as you can early on these young people’s lives,” she said.
