Image: NSW Premier Chris Minns. AAP
by HOPE PRATT
Premier Chris Minns is facing heavy criticism after the NSW Government announced its new youth crime laws that will make it harder for young offenders to get bail.
The premier also ruled out raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 in changes that have been criticised as “knee-jerk law and order response”.
Teenagers who “post and boast” on social media will also face an additional two years to any prison term.
These reforms come as an attempt to curb higher crime rates in regional NSW and “support community safety and wellbeing”, according to the government.
But many are concerned that the changes will see more children jailed and will push the state further from its “Closing the Gap” targets.
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“Won’t fix a thing on the ground”
Karly Warner, CEO of Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT said, “Changes to bail laws that lock more children up is a short-term political stunt that won’t fix a thing on the ground in communities.”
She reiterated that more youth engagement and support is needed in NSW, saying “Tightening bail laws to keep children locked up hasn’t worked in a single place it’s been tried.”
NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) echoed these sentiments, saying they were “horrified” by the announcement.
President Lydia Shelly said, “It is outrageous that the Minns Government is announcing measures to incarcerate children rather than listening to the evidence to raise the age of criminal responsibility in NSW.”
“Evidence should guide policy; it is so disheartening to witness steps that could harm rather than protect our young people,” she continued.
“When children this young are forced through a criminal legal process, their health, wellbeing, and future are put at risk. Punitive approaches simply don’t work, and we know this. Locking kids up is not a solution.”
Punitive measures not the answer
In response to the changes, a coalition of Aboriginal and legal organisations issued a joint statement on the matter, proposing a three-point crime prevention plan as an alternative.
The plan advocates for resource allocation towards after-school and weekend for at-risk young people, targeted programs and response with appropriate referral services, and formal community partnerships between police and Aboriginal controlled services.
Reaffirming that additional laws and punishments are not the solution, Ms Shelly warned, “The Premier is sowing the seeds for intergenerational trauma and further fissures in social cohesion.”
“This will not help vulnerable communities nor make them safer. Children will be harmed by this policy,” she asserted.
The laws will be reassessed for their efficacy in 12 months before further action is taken.
