4 December 2023

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) says the outcome of today’s Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting is disappointing: there was no agreement to raise the age of criminal responsibility, and there are no plans for continued efforts to find a national consensus.

Paediatrician and RACP president Dr Jacqueline Small says, “It is disappointing that the nation’s first law officers could not agree to put the wellbeing of very young children first.

“The outcome of today’s meeting will result in a continued piecemeal, state-by-state situation, at best.

“Without a national consensus to raise the age to 14, we will continue to see health inequities, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The RACP now calls on all states and territories to pursue this vital reform in the absence of national consensus.

“We praise the NT and the ACT, which have raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12, and we note the ACT’s commitment to raise the age to 14.

“We also welcome Victoria’s recent commitment to do the same.

“We urge other jurisdictions to show leadership and raise the age, even without a nationally agreed approach.

“The RACP stands ready to provide expert advice to all jurisdictions on how to prioritise child health and wellbeing.”