Organised crime figures who recruit children could face life in prison under new maximum penalties introduced by the Victorian government.
The move comes amid concerns organised crime groups are recruiting children to carry out firebombings of hospitality venues and other serious crimes.
Crime syndicates are using encrypted digital platforms to recruit vulnerable teenagers with intellectual disabilities, low IQ and no criminal history.
Statistics released earlier this year showed youth offenders were responsible for more than half of all home invasions and carjackings in the state.
The Victorian government said a new offence of recruiting a child to commit a serious crime will be introduced into Victoria’s parliament today.
Police say organised crime syndicates are recruiting children for firebombings, carjackings and home invasions. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
Recruiting a child to commit an offence is already a crime, but the new legislation increases the penalty from 10 to 15 years in prison to a maximum penalty of life in jail.
“Organised crime bosses who recruit kids to torch venues and invade homes deserve no sympathy,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“They are preying on children and putting Victorians at risk.“
The Victorian government said 64 charges of recruiting a child to carry out a crime had already been laid.
“These laws send a clear message — those who recruit children to commit crime will face the full force of the law,” Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said.
Police have made 65 arrests and laid 370 charges as part of Operation Eclipse, which targets crime syndicates behind a string of recent firebombings.
New firearms laws introduced to parliament
The government is also introducing changes to the state’s firearms laws that restrict licences to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens who are permanent residents and non-citizens who need a firearm for work.
It is also promising to strengthen background checks on people applying for firearms licences.
The changes follow a review of the state’s firearms laws carried out by former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay.
Harsher penalties are also being introduced for people caught trafficking firearms, including jail terms of up to 15 years.
Laws governing who can obtain a firearms license in Victoria are being tightened. (ABC News: Sam Clark)
The chief commissioner will also have the power to temporarily reclassify firearms, which the government said would allow police to respond faster to new technology.
“We’re taking quick action to stop the wrong people getting their hands on a single gun,” Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.
“These are sensible changes that don’t disadvantage the vast majority of gun owners who do the right thing.”
