As someone who works in emergency services, I witness first-hand the devastating impact of crime on victims. Too often, offenders receive lenient sentences that do not reflect the severity of their actions or the lifelong trauma inflicted upon their victims. This is a call to reform our criminal justice system to ensure stricter sentencing.

Australia-wide in 2022-23 a total of 533,971 indictable offences were recorded. This was an increase of 9% (45,035) on the previous year (abs.gov.au). Youth offenders accounted for 4% (21,359) being between the ages of 10 and 17. This number is way too high as the youth of today do not have consequences for their actions and know that the minimal penalty will be the most likely outcome. This leaves them to re-offend almost straight away.

Take a recent article of news where a young teen committed an aggravated burglary, stole a vehicle, drove without a valid license and ran down two cyclists in Victoria. What should this equate to when presented to court?

• Aggravated Burglary (indictable offence) = max term 25 years
• Theft of Motor Vehicle = 2 to 10 year term
• Drive Unlicensed, Suspended or Disqualified = max 2 term years
• Dangerous Driving = max term 2 years
• Intentionally, Recklessly or Negligently Causing Injury or Endangering Life = max term 10 years

Two possible outcomes when this goes to court

• Concurrently a maximum prison term of 25 years
• Consecutively between = min 41 years to max 49 years.

So far the process has allowed these youth offenders to be out on bail. How is this possible? There are many victims in this one night of offending that will never be the same again. This shows the youths that they are only going to be given a very light punishment, most likely a community corrections order, fine (which they won't be able to pay) or something else that allows them to walk free and more than likely reoffend. This should have been remand without question.

If a youth offender can commit a crime that would normally be committed by an adult, the sentencing should be as an adult, apply the maximum, it's time to make them accountable to rethink their actions.

This kind of light sentencing is not just applied to our youth offenders but also to the adults.

Bourke St Mall, Melbourne. A drug affected driver kills 6 people by running them down in the street and putting many other in a life-threatening situations. One of the fatalities was only an infant. Total sentence was only 42 years. That's only 7.16666 years per life taken. Is that what our justice system thinks a life is worth?

Police force numbers are declining nationwide as it's becoming a thankless or futile job. They do the hard work to make society safer for all Australians but our justice system just doesn't support them or our communities.

Our current criminal justice system needs an overhaul. We need laws that hold offenders accountable for their actions and provide appropriate punishment proportional to their crimes. We need a system that prioritizes rehabilitation but also recognizes when harsher penalties are necessary for public safety.

So what's the answer to youth crime? Consider this, the media recently highlighted that our armed forces have a shortfall of over 4,000 serving members. Maybe it's time to bring back a form of subscription where anyone aged 16 and over commits indictable offences has a choice to enlist into the army, navy, air force or do the maximum prison term. By being in the armed forces they will learn respect, a skill and how to contribute to society rather than take from it.

I know there are a number of people that do not agree with this, until it happens to them. Why wait till it happens to you? Is prevention not better than the cure?

By signing this petition, you are advocating for a safer society where justice is served appropriately and consistently. You are also supporting our frontline emergency service workers for the great work they do.

Please sign this petition today and join us in calling for much-needed reforms in our criminal justice system.