Ditto… I thought I’d walked into the Wake in Fright movie.

Your point applies to adults as much as to children. It shouldn’t be age that’s the issue re criminal ‘activity’ (levels of responsibility is something that should be factored into sentencing (and what form that sentencing should take) – and no doubt age would be one factor). The focus on age misses the point – the problem is the consequences for law breaking we’ve established for society (mainly jail – for low socio-economic crimes; knighthoods for the other end) don’t work. They don’t work for anyone, at any age – and we’ve known this…for centuries. Generally we choose to pretend we don’t know this, or we look the other way. When the issue is presented through the framework of being applied to children…it gets harder for many to look away or pretend. Age simply puts into sharp relief the inadequacies and barbarities of our penal system. It wasn’t fit for purpose in 1788, and it isn’t now.

I wonder if, outside the left-wing echo chamber, statements like that come across as anything other than preposterous?

If we all understood how many children (and adults for that matter) involved are cognitively impaired and what cognitive impairments create for human beings, maybe we would have a chance of behaving with civility and basic humanity?

Interestingly (and surprisingly for me) in our local rag, there is a small group of letter writers who regularly express appalling racism but are calling for children to be considered through a rehabilitation rather than punishment framework. I have been wondering if they are very close to their grandchildren/great grandchildren and instinctively recognise things are more complex than politicians are presenting them.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

So maybe spending some effort on improving their circumstances might help?

Paternalistically splashing some money around with zero consultation probably won’t cut it though

Just wanted to express my support to what you said, greybeard.

I used to think like the author. After moving to the NT, having had my car repeatedly broken into, my home invaded while I slept, my car joy ridden around the CBD — thankfully not torched, but only because the cops got onto them first — my view has changed a bit. I live in fear this stuff will happen to me again. Others have had it worse; threatened and assaulted in their homes, so I’m one of the lucky ones.

I don’t want the kids to go to gaol. I do want them to be held accountable for their actions. Understanding that our actions have consequences and that we need to own them is one of the most important lessons we learn growing up. I’m not a lawyer, so I can take the words “age of criminal responsibility” only at their plain English meaning. Should there be the possibility that those aged 10-11 be held responsible for their actions by an appropriately constituted court? I don’t see why not. They shouldn’t go to gaol, but just taking them back to an “appropriate adult” is an exercise in euphemism and denial.

I don’t think we’re doing them any favours by teaching them they’re not accountable for their actions when this age. It seems to me that the consequence of such an approach is they’ll keep re-offending until they are of an age where they can be held criminally responsible. At that point there are more victims and less options for diversion. How does that help anybody?

Sorry, but it is you who isn’t understanding. They know that what they’re doing is wrong, the parents/teachers/cops/magistrates all tell them it is wrong… how can they not?

This is about criminal responsibility. They’re too young to understand the consequences of their actions. Imprisonment engenders anger and resentment and despair. Luckily, there’s plenty of crims to teach them how to be a more successful crim when they get out, and they will get out, plus the ready supply of drugs in prison can make the time pass easier.

Probably should be put into administration,run by a disinterested party…from outside the country

Hmmm… isn’t that the definition of Australia?