Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the positions put by my colleagues Senator Waters and Senator Shoebridge. Right now 10-year-old kids across the country are being put in prisons. This is a national disgrace. The Greens, both federal and state, have been pushing to raise the age of criminal responsibility, and we welcome Senator Thorpe's amendment to the Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024 to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.

In my home state of Victoria, the Labor government recently backflipped on raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and caved to right-wing pressure instead of listening to First Nations communities and expert advice. This decision is a complete betrayal to First Nations communities and the Victorian government have ignored the evidence that tells us that we should be investing in children's futures and this is ultimately what leads to more community safety.

This decision will put more Victorian kids, especially First Nation kids, in prison. Breaking this promise is completely heartless and a total betrayal to First Nations communities, leaders and experts who have been telling us for years what needs to happen to keep communities safe and keep kids out of prison. We know that locking up kids isn't what's best for them and it doesn't lead to community safety. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's deeply disappointing, although perhaps not surprising, that the Labor government isn't prepared to accept this amendment to raise the age in this legislation. Labor would do well to follow countries that have actually listened to the evidence and improved community safety, raised the age and invested in programs to keep kids out of prison.