Victoria’s proposed ‘adult time’ plan to impose life sentences on children condemned by advocates

Victoria's government has proposed a plan that would allow children as young as 14 to be sentenced as adults, potentially facing 20-year jail terms for violent crimes. This initiative, announced by the Allan Labor government, mirrors similar laws enacted in Queensland. The proposal has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights, Indigenous, and legal experts, as well as advocacy groups, who argue it represents an alarming regression in juvenile justice. Critics emphasize the negative implications of treating young offenders as adults, raising concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations and the effectiveness of such punitive measures.