Victoria's Controversial Crackdown on Youth Crime
Firebrand Senator Lidia Thorpe has launched a scathing attack on Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's newly announced policy to impose adult sentences on violent young offenders, labelling the approach as 'unfathomably cruel'. The senator's outburst came following Premier Allan's Wednesday announcement that her government would adopt an 'adult time for violent crime' law, mirroring legislation implemented in Queensland during 2024.
Policy Details and Fierce Opposition
Under the proposed changes, children as young as 14 could face trial in adult courts for serious violent offences, with the possibility of life sentences. The legislation would mandate life sentences for crimes like murder, requiring a minimum of 20 years before parole eligibility. 'The Victorian Premier wants to lock up 14-year-olds for life and pretend that's leadership,' Senator Thorpe stated. 'Not only is it unfathomably cruel, it is the most shameful attempt to cling to power.'
Thorpe vehemently argued that the policy isn't about community safety but is instead aimed at appeasing swing voters ahead of the looming state election. She claimed the policy would disproportionately target 'black and brown children' from First Nations, African, and Pasifika backgrounds. 'We know that harsher sentencing does not deter crime or make our communities safer,' she asserted, 'it only traumatises our kids and drives cycles of reoffending.'
Rising Crime and Government Response
The policy announcement comes as Victoria grapples with a significant surge in crime. Official statistics reveal criminal offences spiked by 15.7 percent in the year to mid-2025, driven largely by thefts, home invasions, and repeat youth offenders. Victoria Police reported that approximately 1,100 youths aged 10 to 17 were arrested a combined 7,000 times, noting a trend of children turning to extreme violence.
Premier Allan defended the policy, stating 'Adult Time for Violent Crime will mean more violent youth offenders going to jail, facing serious consequences.' The violent crimes subject to these stricter measures include:
- Aggravated home invasion
- Intentionally causing injury in circumstances of gross violence (including machete crime)
- Aggravated carjacking
- Serious and repeated aggravated burglary
- Serious and repeated armed robbery
In addition to the sentencing changes, Premier Allan has implemented a machete ban and installed machete bins as part of a broader strategy to curb violent crime, alongside the reinstatement of tougher bail laws.
Opposition leader Brad Battin questioned the Premier's credibility, suggesting the announcement was more about 'chasing another headline' than delivering a substantive plan. Meanwhile, Senator Thorpe called on the federal government to intervene, citing breaches of the Closing the Gap targets and urging investment in community-led solutions, housing, and healthcare instead of incarceration.
