A federal Senate inquiry into the youth justice system has concluded with a call for significant reforms, including raising the age of criminal responsibility. Senators from both the Liberal Party and the Greens have supported the findings, which highlight that current disparities in how children are treated across different states and territories are partly driven by inconsistent media reporting and fragmented legal frameworks.

The committee’s report, released on Friday, outlines four primary recommendations. Central to these is a proposal for the federal attorney general to collaborate with state and territory leaders to establish national minimum standards for youth justice. By creating a unified approach, the committee aims to move away from the current patchwork system where a child’s legal treatment can vary significantly depending on their location. Additionally, the report advocates for the establishment of a “National Child and Community Safety Taskforce” to oversee these improvements and ensure better outcomes for youth involved in the justice system.

The inquiry’s findings suggest that the current system is failing to provide a consistent or effective response to youth offending. By pushing for a higher age of criminal responsibility, the committee is signaling a shift toward prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration for younger children. While the report provides a roadmap for federal and state cooperation, the implementation of these standards will ultimately depend on the willingness of state and territory governments to align their local laws with the proposed national framework.