The Allan Labor Government has appointed an Independent Review Panel to advise on the design and implementation of an Alternative Service Model to support young Victorians to stay out of the justice system as part of reforms to Victoria’s minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced the five members of the panel, who will make sure an effective safety net supports at-risk children and their families through a range of early intervention and rehabilitative services as part of the process to raise the age.
Panel chair Patricia Faulkner AO has substantial public sector and community service delivery experience, including as former Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services, Deputy Commissioner of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and chair of Jesuit Social Services.
Andrew Crisp AM APM was until recently Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner and prior to that had a distinguished 40-year career with Victoria Police, including as the Regional Operations Deputy Commissioner.
Andrew Jackomos PSM, a proud Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man, was the inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People and special adviser to government for Aboriginal self-determination.
Father Joseph Caddy AM is Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and formerly Chief Executive Officer of CatholicCare. Father Joe has significant experience on government advisory boards and committees, with a focus on social policy and services, including prison ministry and youth justice.
Lisa Ward is the deputy chair of Victoria’s Sentencing Advisory Council and director of the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. She has extensive advisory experience, including on the Adult Parole Board of Victoria, Women’s Correctional Advisory Council of Victoria, and Child Death Review Committee of Victoria.
The Labor Government has announced the age of criminal responsibility will be raised in two stages: the first from 10 years to 12 years by the end of 2024, before reforms raise the age to 14 years – with exceptions for certain serious crimes, and subject to the development of an Alternative Service Model.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“We’re supporting at-risk children, young people and their families to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. The Alternative Service Model will consider a range of early interventions and rehabilitative support services to help children and young people grow up safe, connected and supported to reach their full potential.”
As stated by Minister for Youth Justice Enver Erdogan
“With the expertise of the Independent Review Panel, we will design an Alternative Service Model that provides children and their families the support they need to turn their lives around and stay out of the criminal justice system for good. That is good for them – and it will make the community safer.”
As stated by Independent Review Panel chair Patricia Faulkner AO
“The best place for a child is with their family, extended family or community. The Independent Review Panel will work to find a model that achieves this.”
