Australian of the Year Grace Tame has praised the ACT Government for moving to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the Tasmanian Government will not follow the territory government, saying it wants to be part of a nationally consistent approach to the matter.
The ACT Government on Monday released a report on how it would reform laws that see children as young as 10 locked up in juvenile detention as part of an overhaul of its youth justice system.
READ MORE: Tributes flow for theatre icon Graeme Paine
It has pledged to next year bring a bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility to the Legislative Assembly.
Ms Tame on social media praised the ACT for moving to be the first Australian jurisdiction to lift the age in line with 31 United Nations member countries.
"A bold forward step by the ACT, raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14," she wrote.
"Locking up kids - many of whom are disabled, First Nations children and/or have experienced traumas including sexual abuse - solves nothing.
"Here's hoping this will lift the national standard."
The post was accompanied with a photograph of herself while aged 10.
Attorney-General Elise Archer said a meeting of Attorneys' General agreed the minimum age of criminal responsibility needed to be further considered.
READ MORE: Sanders faces up to AFL test
She said the Tasmanian Government wanted to see a nationally consistent position on any reform in the area.
"I understand that a majority of other jurisdictions share this view," Ms Archer said.
"As this important work continues, I will continue to consult with stakeholders as we further consider this important issue for Tasmania."
Labor and the Greens have expressed support in the past for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised.
The proposal also has the support of the Law Society of Tasmania, former magistrate Michael Hill, and medical and clinical psychology experts.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner