The NT's new Country Liberal Party government has passed legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10. It comes just a day after the government pushed through tougher bail laws and extra powers for police.

In short:

The Northern Territory has passed new laws that lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10, about two years after the previous government raised the age to 12.

It comes a day after the Country Liberal Party government pushed through tougher bail legislation and extra powers for police as part of a suite of law and order changes.

What’s next?

New laws on public drinking and assaults on workers are expected to pass when parliament resumes next week.

  • Dragon "Rider"(drag)@lemmy.nzEnglish
    32·
    3 hours ago

    Drag can think of many things a government could do to a kid worse than being in an abusive household. Hypothetically: Killing, slave labour, chemical experiments, exposure to addictive drugs. Realistically: Surrounding him with a bunch of older criminals who will traumatise him just as bad as his parents and also teach him how to scale up his crimes to violent crimes against civilians. What if the older kids beat him up, or get him on alcohol or cigarettes?

    Drag can also think of solutions that don’t involve any violence. Like family therapy, a support pension, or rehabilitation programs for the parents.