The Australian government lowered the age of criminal responsibility once again in the country’s Northern Territory (NT), which will include the imprisonment of children as young as 10.

Australian states and territories have been under pressure to raise the age from 10 to 14 just like other developed countries but the NT government deemed its decision necessary to reduce youth crime rates. Last year the government in NT became the first jurisdiction to lift&nbsp;the threshold to 12 years, but the new County Liberal Party (CLP) elected in August made a U-turn from the previous decision.

The CLP has argued that returning the age to 10 will ultimately protect children- despite doctors, human rights organisations and Indigenous groups saying otherwise.

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Various organisations have cited evidence that the laws will not reduce crime and will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The NT already jails children at a rate 11 times higher than any other jurisdiction in the country, and almost all of them are Aboriginal.

<h2>Youth crime crisis in Australia</h2>

Australia has declared many places in the country are in the grip&nbsp;of a youth crime crisis. A series of violent incidents that happened this year even prompted several youth curfews in the NT city of Alice Springs.&nbsp;

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government had been given a mandate after their landslide election victory, and that the change of age to 10 would allow courts to put young offenders through programmes designed to address the root causes of their crimes. Statistics show break-in and assault offences as the most common crimes.

"We have this obligation to the child who has been let down in several ways, over a long period," she told the parliament on Thursday.

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"We make no apologies for delivering on our commitments to reduce crime for all Territorians," Finocchiaro added.

On the other hand, research both globally and in Australia has shown that imprisoning young children makes them more likely to offend and often has dire impacts on their health, education and employment.&nbsp;

Opposition Leader Selena Uibo, who is the first and only Aboriginal woman to head a major party in Australia, said it was a "dark day" for the territory.

The change has yet to come into effect, as the NT parliament has only debated the bill this week.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Australian government lowered the age of criminal responsibility once again in the country’s Northern Territory (NT), which will include the imprisonment of children as young as 10.

The Australian government lowered the age of criminal responsibility once again in the country’s Northern Territory (NT), which will include the imprisonment of children as young as 10. Australian states and territories have been under pressure to raise the age from 10 to 14 just like other developed countries but the NT government deemed its decision necessary to reduce youth crime rates. Last year the government in NT became the first jurisdiction to lift the threshold to 12 years, but the new County Liberal Party (CLP) elected in August made a U-turn from the previous decision. The CLP has argued that returning the age to 10 will ultimately protect children- despite doctors, human rights organisations and Indigenous groups saying otherwise. Also Read | In a first, Indian-origin Australian Senator Varun Ghosh takes oath on 'Bhagavad Gita' Various organisations have cited evidence that the laws will not reduce crime and will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The NT already jails children at a rate 11 times higher than any other jurisdiction in the country, and almost all of them are Aboriginal. Youth crime crisis in Australia Australia has declared many places in the country are in the grip of a youth crime crisis. A series of violent incidents that happened this year even prompted several youth curfews in the NT city of Alice Springs. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government had been given a mandate after their landslide election victory, and that the change of age to 10 would allow courts to put young offenders through programmes designed to address the root causes of their crimes. Statistics show break-in and assault offences as the most common crimes. "We have this obligation to the child who has been let down in several ways, over a long period," she told the parliament on Thursday. Also Read | 'Beyond anyone's imaginations...': Australian childcare worker charged with 1,623 child abuse offences "We make no apologies for delivering on our commitments to reduce crime for all Territorians," Finocchiaro added. On the other hand, research both globally and in Australia has shown that imprisoning young children makes them more likely to offend and often has dire impacts on their health, education and employment. Opposition Leader Selena Uibo, who is the first and only Aboriginal woman to head a major party in Australia, said it was a "dark day" for the territory. The change has yet to come into effect, as the NT parliament has only debated the bill this week. (With inputs from agencies)

This Australian state will resume jailing 10-year-olds amid 'youth crime crisis' in country

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and Queensland brace for the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Megan which developed into a category three cyclone and is set to bring heavy rains and potentially destructive wind gusts and lead to widespread damage and flooding in coastal regions in the upcoming week.&nbsp;

<h2>Storm to strengthen?</h2>

The storm, as per Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), is set to cross the Northern Territory town of Borroloola. On Sunday (Mar 17) afternoon, emergency services advised residents who would not be able to shelter safely to move elsewhere.&nbsp;

“Borroloola as of this morning has a heightened risk that was intensified with the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Megan,” said NT Police Superintendent Sonia Kennon, as quoted by ABC News.&nbsp;

The official has also urged the residents to shelter in a safe place and stay inside until the authorities have given an all-clear.&nbsp;

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There is also a 20 per cent chance that Megan could develop into a category four storm when it makes landfall, said BOM.&nbsp;

“It does have enough time that it can strengthen,” said the agency’s Shenagh Gamble, as quoted by the Australian Associated Press, adding that their current forecast indicates that it will not.&nbsp;

<h2>About the storm</h2>

The severe Tropical Cyclone Megan formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria, near the island of Groote Eylandt, on Saturday (Mar 16) afternoon and moved south towards the NT and Queensland border.&nbsp;

As of Sunday morning, it was a category-two storm but intensified as the day progressed. Megan is expected to make landfall as a category three storm late Monday (Mar 18) or early Tuesday near the border between Queensland and NT.&nbsp;

“It’s quite a large tropical cyclone, taking up around one third of the Gulf of Carpentaria area,” said Gamble. According to BOM, the cyclone would have a “very destructive core” when it makes landfall on Monday.&nbsp;

The bureau has also particularly warned residents near the coastal regions between Nathan River and the border as there is a “very dangerous storm tide associated with this system” and they are expected to be “significantly higher than the normal high tides,” said Gamble.&nbsp;

<h2>Situation in Groote Eylandt</h2>

A cyclone alert was in place from Groote Eylandt to Mornington Island and included the far inland town of Borroloola. The authorities have also expressed concern, particularly for remote indigenous communities on Groote Eylandt.&nbsp;

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The small island has received more than 400 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Alia Stevenson, a long-time resident of Groote Eylandt told ABC News, that many trees were down across the island, the wharf had been damaged, and water bubbles had formed under the roads.&nbsp;

The rains have also led to the closure of highways, and supermarkets, and residents could not travel between communities, said Stevenson.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and Queensland brace for the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Megan which developed into a category three cyclone and is set to bring heavy rains and potentially destructive wind gusts and lead to widespread damage and flooding in coastal regions in the upcoming week.

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and Queensland brace for the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Megan which developed into a category three cyclone and is set to bring heavy rains and potentially destructive wind gusts and lead to widespread damage and flooding in coastal regions in the upcoming week. Storm to strengthen? The storm, as per Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), is set to cross the Northern Territory town of Borroloola. On Sunday (Mar 17) afternoon, emergency services advised residents who would not be able to shelter safely to move elsewhere. “Borroloola as of this morning has a heightened risk that was intensified with the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Megan,” said NT Police Superintendent Sonia Kennon, as quoted by ABC News. The official has also urged the residents to shelter in a safe place and stay inside until the authorities have given an all-clear. Also Read | UK village ‘distraught’ after dozens of dead animals found dumped outside local shop There is also a 20 per cent chance that Megan could develop into a category four storm when it makes landfall, said BOM. “It does have enough time that it can strengthen,” said the agency’s Shenagh Gamble, as quoted by the Australian Associated Press, adding that their current forecast indicates that it will not. About the storm The severe Tropical Cyclone Megan formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria, near the island of Groote Eylandt, on Saturday (Mar 16) afternoon and moved south towards the NT and Queensland border. As of Sunday morning, it was a category-two storm but intensified as the day progressed. Megan is expected to make landfall as a category three storm late Monday (Mar 18) or early Tuesday near the border between Queensland and NT. “It’s quite a large tropical cyclone, taking up around one third of the Gulf of Carpentaria area,” said Gamble. According to BOM, the cyclone would have a “very destructive core” when it makes landfall on Monday. The bureau has also particularly warned residents near the coastal regions between Nathan River and the border as there is a “very dangerous storm tide associated with this system” and they are expected to be “significantly higher than the normal high tides,” said Gamble. Situation in Groote Eylandt A cyclone alert was in place from Groote Eylandt to Mornington Island and included the far inland town of Borroloola. The authorities have also expressed concern, particularly for remote indigenous communities on Groote Eylandt. Also Read | US says it destroyed Houthi drone over red sea 'to protect freedom of navigation' The small island has received more than 400 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Alia Stevenson, a long-time resident of Groote Eylandt told ABC News, that many trees were down across the island, the wharf had been damaged, and water bubbles had formed under the roads. The rains have also led to the closure of highways, and supermarkets, and residents could not travel between communities, said Stevenson. (With inputs from agencies)

Tropical Cyclone Megan: Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland brace for category-three storm

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This Australian state will resume jailing 10-year-olds amid 'youth crime crisis' in country

Tropical Cyclone Megan: Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland brace for category-three storm