Desperate Debnam takes on child crime

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said Opposition Leader Peter Debnam*s plan to rewrite the state*s juvenile justice laws is a crude attempt to pick up his flagging campaign and will do nothing to make our communities safer.

"The Coalition policy to lower the age of criminal responsibility risks alienating children from our society and creating more crime," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Mr Debnam's statement that children who brush with the law are 'the untouchables' shows just how disconnected he is with our society.

"Children, whatever they do, are part of our society. They are not 'untouchables'. They have mothers, fathers, siblings and school friends and deserve a fair justice system not a persecutory one.

"It is Mr Debnam's proposals that up the ante for children as young as ten that should be 'untouchable', not our children.

"Mr Debnam's proposals overlook the links between child abuse and criminal behaviour in children. As a society we should support these children, not shut the door on them.

"The opposition leader is content to ignore the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which requires specially designed criminal justice laws for children.

"The opposition's juvenile justice policy is a desperate attempt to look tough.

"Juvenile justice laws need to be balanced so young people are given a second chance.

"If Debnam's plan ever became law it would turn many young people who make mistakes into criminals for life.

"Mr Debnam has an unhealthy habit of discarding fundamental justice principles which are the mark of a civilised and fair society.

"This latest law and order announcement adds to the perception of extremism now associated with the Liberal Party," Ms Rhiannon said.