Legislation introduced into the Victorian Parliament today will create a new aggravated offence of recruiting a child to commit a serious crime, with perpetrators to face life in prison if convicted.
Recruiting a child to carry out a crime is already an offence in Victoria, but the new aggravated offence takes it further – introducing a maximum life sentence if you recruit children to commit one of 71 specified serious crimes, including arson, carjacking and home invasion.
To make both the existing and new offence easier to prosecute, the legislation also removes the requirement for the offender to know the child is underage.
“Organised crime bosses who recruit kids to torch venues and invade homes deserve no sympathy. They are preying on children and putting Victorians at risk,” said Premier, Jacinta Allan.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the new laws send a clear message – “those who recruit children to commit crime will face the full force of the law.”
Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines said “organised crime groups are recruiting children to do their dirty work – we will not stand by and watch this happen.”
