Question - ACT Policing

Question

Number
681
Subject
ACT Policing
(Youth offending and reporting)
Asked by
Morris, Deborah
Directed to
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Question asked on
22 September 2025
Answer due on
26 October 2025
Question asked
  1. What formal guidance has been provided by the Government to ACT Policing on how officers are expected to respond under the new framework following the commencement of legislation raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years.
  2. What training has been provided to general duties officers on responding to incidents involving children under 14, including where the serious violent offence exception may apply.
  3. How is ACT Policing ensuring that the serious violent offence exception for 12 and 13 year olds is applied consistently, and what oversight or review mechanisms are in place.
  4. Has ACT Policing raised concerns that drug dealers or organised crime groups may exploit 12, 13, or 14 year olds to distribute drugs in light of the new minimum age framework referred to in part (1).
  5. What programs have been introduced in 2024–2025 to manage harmful behaviours by children under 14 who are no longer subject to criminal responsibility, and what role (if any) does ACT Policing have in referring or supporting children into such programs.
  6. Where the programs referred to in part (5) exist, has any evaluation or early evidence been collected about their effectiveness.
  7. Are offences committed by persons below the age of criminal responsibility recorded in ACT crime statistics; if so, how are they categorised and reported.