Victoria moves to raise age of criminal responsibility to 12 despite criticism it’s not enough

A senior Andrews government source says a proposal to raise Victoria’s age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 will be discussed in cabinet on Monday. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

A proposal to raise Victoria’s age of criminal responsibility will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday despite a leading human rights organisation warning that lifting it from 10 to just 12 would be an “abject failure”.

A senior Andrews government source on Friday confirmed the issue would be discussed by cabinet, but would not confirm reporting by the ABC that Victoria would go it alone in raising the age to 12. According to the report, exceptions would apply for those under 12 for murder and terrorism offences.