Age of Criminal Responsibility

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:06): Supplementary: what will the consequences be for young offenders if this legislation passes, given the concerns raised around bus drivers regarding violence and antisocial behaviour and numerous other crimes committed by young people between 10 and 14 years of age?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for her question. We are certainly not at the stage to spell out 'this is how a model would work', but as I said in the answer and as I have said before, what is being looked at is: if it is not a criminal justice response, what are the interventions in the young person's life—things like family supports and the therapeutic responses. As I have said in my answer to the substantive question, our overriding view on this is what improves the safety of our community.