Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has avoided directly endorsing Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s controversial plan to impose dramatically harsher penalties on young offenders, including the possibility of life sentences for children as young as 14.
The two leaders appeared together today in Melbourne to mark the opening of the long-awaited West Gate Freeway Tunnel, an announcement overshadowed by Allan’s sweeping youth crime reforms unveiled earlier in the week.
Under the proposed Victorian laws, young people aged 14 and over who commit serious violent offences — including machete attacks, aggravated home invasions, carjackings and armed robberies — could be tried in adult courts and face adult-level penalties. The policy is framed by the government under the slogan “adult time for violent crime,” arguing the community is demanding stronger action against repeat youth offenders involved in escalating violence.
When asked for his view, Albanese notably avoided offering explicit support or criticism. The Prime Minister emphasised instead that criminal justice policies fall under the responsibility of state governments, while acknowledging the widespread public concern over youth violence.
“Australians want to be safe. State governments determine their own policy, but Australians do want to be safe,” he said, stopping short of endorsing the harsher sentencing framework.
Albanese’s remarks reflect the political sensitivity surrounding youth justice reform, with human rights groups warning the measures risk criminalising vulnerable children, while law-and-order advocates have applauded the government’s tougher stance.
The Victorian government is expected to introduce the legislation to parliament in coming weeks, setting the stage for one of the state’s most heated justice debates in years. For now, the Prime Minister appears determined to keep distance from the controversy as federal and state Labor navigate differing approaches to crime, safety and rehabilitation.
