Victorian opposition vows to add five youth offences to adult sentencing law

The Liberal and National parties in Victoria have pledged to expand the state’s Adult Crime, Adult Time framework with five additional offences should they secure a majority in the November state election. The targeted crimes—motor vehicle theft, attempted carjacking, attempted aggravated carjacking, violent disorder and reckless conduct endangering life—carry maximum penalties ranging from ten to twenty-five years in adult prisons.

The original package, passed by the Labor government led by Jacinta Allan in December, already mandates adult sentencing for youths 14 and older who commit serious offences such as aggravated home invasion and carjacking. Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury framed the expansion as a necessary response to rising youth crime and what he described as “kid-glove” treatment. Human-rights bodies, including the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, warned the stricter regime could disproportionately impact Indigenous peoples, racialised communities and children with mental health issues. Similar legislation in Queensland has been cited as a cautionary example by youth-advocacy leaders like Katherine Hayes.