MEDIA RELEASE - LIBERALS’ YOUTH CRIME PLAN: NO CHARGES UNDER 14, NO DETENTION UNDER 16
13 October 2026
A 13-year-old who commits murder, serious assault or armed robbery could not face criminal charges under the Rockliff Government’s plan to tackle youth crime, One Nation Tasmania warned today.
The Government’s Youth Justice Blueprint 2024-2034 commits to raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 without exceptions, and the minimum age of detention, including remand, to 16, by July 2029.
One Nation Tasmania Leader Lee Hanson said Tasmanians deserved to know exactly what the Liberals had signed up to. “Under the Liberals’ own plan, 13-year-old could commit murder and face no criminal prosecution under this plan. No exception for the seriousness of the crime. No exception for the harm done,” Ms Hanson said.
“The victim is no less a victim because the offender is 13.
“The Liberals also want to raise the minimum detention age to 16, including for young people on remand. They’ve signed up to maximising access to bail, prioritising the rights of young offenders over victims and community safety.
“Take a 15-year-old charged with a violent home invasion. Under the Blueprint, youth detention is off the table. The Government promises alternatives. Where are they? What powers will they have? And who answers for it when they fail?
“Police are already arresting the same offenders again and again under today’s laws. Another taskforce won’t fix that, and the Liberals’ plan would make the current problem worse.
“So Jeremy Rockliff needs to answer one question. Is he keeping the Blueprint’s commitments, or abandoning them?
“If he’s changed his mind, say so. If he hasn’t, stop pretending this is a tough-on-crime government.
“Every part of that plan puts the rights of the offender ahead of Tasmanians’ right to be safe. One Nation would reverse every one of them.”
One Nation Tasmania will:
• Keep the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 10. The Liberals would raise it to 14, with no exceptions.
• Keep detention available for dangerous young offenders, including 14 and 15-year olds. The Liberals would end youth detention, even remand, for anyone under 16.
• Put community safety first in sentencing for serious violent crime, with stronger consequences for repeat offenders. The Liberals put the rights of the offender first.
• Remove “detention as a last resort” provision in the Youth Justice Act. The Liberals would further enshrine it.
• End revolving-door bail, with tougher bail laws for repeat offenders, electronic monitoring and curfews for serious offences, and next-day court hearings for breaches. The Liberals would maximise bail and minimise remand.
“Tasmanians have heard enough excuses. It’s time for consequences,” Ms Hanson said.
ENDS