Youth Crime Crisis in Melbourne

In a significant policy shift, the Premier of Victoria has abandoned a prior commitment to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, instead promising to impose stricter penalties for repeat and serious youth offenders. The Premier expressed concerns over public safety, stating, "Never have Victorians felt so unsafe in their own homes," and emphasized the need to keep violent offenders off the streets. This decision comes amid rising public anxiety regarding youth crime in the state. The Premier's stance on youth crime has been vocal, particularly following a recent incident involving a youth charged in the kidnapping of teenager Benjamin Phikhohpoom, who suffered permanent brain damage. The Premier criticized the leniency shown to offenders, asserting that the current laws are inadequate. She has also condemned the actions of a teenager who allegedly skipped bail after being charged in a fatal car crash, highlighting a pattern of youth crime that has alarmed the community. Under the previous administration led by Daniel Andrews, the government had pledged to raise the age of criminal responsibility by 2027, with exceptions for serious crimes. However, the current Premier clarified that this decision was made by a different government and will be revisited. Her administration plans to introduce amendments to the Bail Act, ensuring that individuals deemed an "unacceptable risk" will remain in custody if charged with serious offenses. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes defended the new legislative approach, distinguishing it from previous laws that allowed for the release of offenders on bail, indicating a shift towards a more stringent legal framework for handling youth crime in Victoria.