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TALKING DAIRY Chris Owen (left), Dylan Wheeler and Caitlin Cox are the heart and soul of a farming production in Moyhu. PHOTO: Kurk Hickling ■ See story page 14.
JAILING THE YOUNG
A PROPOSED increase of the age of criminal responsibility has been received with a mixed response from the region’s politicians and a First Nations elder. The State Government wants to increase the Criminal Age of Responsibility from 10 to 12 years old, but Northern Victorian MP Georgie Purcell believes it should be 14. While One Nation MP Rikki-Lee Tyrell (MLC, Northern Victoria) believes
MPs speak MP p k up p about b tp proposal p l tto change h g th the criminal i i l age g off responsibility p ibility BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
there needs to be some level of responsibility assumed for those who commit crimes, but perhaps parents and community leaders need to step up to become disciplinarians. “It is well overdue that
Victoria raises the age of criminal responsibility and while I am relieved to hear the government is taking action, I am of the position it should be to 14,” Ms Purcell said. “We know that locking children up has a lasting detrimental effect on them, only making them more likely to reoffend. “Criminalising children creates a vicious cycle of
disadvantage and only widens the gap of racial injustice. “When I was 12 years old, I was going to pony club, making secret languages with my friends and having my first sleepovers - it is hard to believe that under this change, I could still be considered a criminal. “But the reality is, it’s unlikely I ever would have been. “In just one year across
Australia, close to 600 children were locked up and thousands more were hauled through the criminal legal system, and it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately impacted by these laws at even higher rates, accounting for 65 per cent of younger children in prisons. “It is vital we are led by their voices in this
conversation and implement community led solutions to prevent offending in the first place.” Ms Tyrell also appreciates the concerns of those who wish to change the age of criminal responsibility, but she said accountability needs to take place with these kids who commit crimes who are under the age of responsibility by law. ■ Continued page 5
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BUS DRIVERS WANTED WANGARATTA & BRIGHT
A number of casual and full-time roles have become available at our Wangaratta Depot. The successful applicant will require a current Heavy Vehicle License, Vic Drivers Cert, as well as Vic Working with Children Check. Or contact us via email regionalcareers@dysongroup.com.au
Apply for casual or full-time roles or if you know anyone who would love to be part of the change, scan for more information