Community safety in regional and rural communities
31 May 2024
The ALA is one of 108 signatories to a submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Law and Safety (Committee), whose members are inquiring into community safety in regional and rural communities.
The key recommendations articulated in this submission are that the NSW Government should:
- be guided by evidence and raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to 14 years;
- resource and support Aboriginal Community-controlled organisations;
- invest in services, including health and education services, to prevent crime from the start; and
- fund targeted services that help children.
The Committee released its Interim report: Addressing the drivers of youth crime through early intervention in May 2025.
On the 28 November 2025, the NSW Government issued their response to the Interim report, noting all recommendations but making no commitment to raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
Submission.
RaiseTheAgeNSW media release.
Interim report
Response (NSW Government)
Final report