ACT set to become the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14

The ACT government says the changes seek to help children "get back on the right track" rather than criminalise them.  (ABC News: Jane Bardon)

The ACT is set to become the first Australian state or territory to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years of age.

The ACT government will introduce a bill to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday proposing a two-stage rollout, with the minimum age of criminal responsibility to be lifted to 12 years as soon as the legislation is passed, and then to 14 by July 1, 2025.