Melbourne: The Victorian government has announced a major overhaul of its youth justice laws, proposing changes that would allow children as young as fourteen to face adult court and even life sentences for the most serious violent crimes. The plan has drawn strong reactions across the state, with the government defending the move as necessary for public safety while experts and advocates warn it could cause long term harm.

Under the proposal, young offenders accused of crimes such as aggravated home invasion, armed robbery, aggravated carjacking and violent assaults involving weapons could be sent to the County Court instead of the Children’s Court. This shift would open the door to adult level penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment in extreme cases.

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