Ben Carroll and Labor have committed to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
Last week, Labor published on their website their Victorian Labor Platform 2026-30, a policy platform that “provides the foundation for a fourth term of Labor Government” and “grows our vision for Victoria”.
The policy platform “sets out a practical and ambitious agenda” and “builds on Labor’s record of reform”, including specific commitments to:
- Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14
- Encourage police referrals to cautioning programs for all young offenders
- Advocate for a windfall profits tax
- Introduce development licence fees and contributions linked to rezoning value uplift.
In August 2024, former Premier Jacinta Allan abandoned plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, but Ben Carroll led Labor has now re-committed to this policy.
Labor’s commitment to new taxes on profits and property follow the independent Auditor-General confirming Labor has been secretly taxing public transport fares to pay for the SRL for almost two-years.
Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: “Victorians know Labor is weak on crime and addicted to higher taxes – and this new policy commitment proves it.
“This document is a sneak-peak of what a re-elected Labor Government would deliver – more crime, weaker laws and higher taxes.
“Victorian is in the grip of a youth crime crisis and Labor’s only solution is to excuse offending and put youth criminals ahead of victims and the community.
“Victoria needs a fresh start and the only way to deliver that is by changing the government this November.”
