MEDIA RELEASE

Report tabled - Inquiry into Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

Today the Chair of Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety, Mr Peter Cain MLA, tabled the Committee’s report for its Inquiry into Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

The report made 23 recommendations covering a range of issues relating to the Bill.

Mr Cain MLA said, ‘This Bill inquiry raised several important issues relating to the raising of the age of criminal responsibility, such as the ability of young people to form criminal intent, the trauma children and young people may face going through the criminal justice system, and the need for a therapeutic approach for children and young people engaging in harmful behaviour.’

The Committee’s report, with additional comments by Mr Andrew Braddock MLA and a dissenting report by Mr Cain MLA, is available on the Assembly’s webpage at

https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports

Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to respond to Committee reports within four months of tabling.

14 July 2023

STATEMENT ENDS.

Committee Chair, Mr Peter Cain MLA on (02) 6205 1927

A/g Committee Secretary, Kate Mickelson, on (02) 6207 0524 or at LACommitteeJCS@parliament.act.gov.au