New NT government moves quickly to lower age of criminal responsibility after ‘crime crisis’ election campaign

Country Liberal party under Lia Finocchiaro believes it has a mandate to overhaul justice system with new offences and tougher penalties

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get ourbreaking news email,free app ordaily news podcast

The incoming Northern Territory government has followed through on an election commitment to tackle a “crime crisis” by urgently introducing laws to lower the age of criminal responsibility and create new offences and tougher penalties including mandatory sentencing for assaults on emergency workers.

The laws have been widely criticised for the troubling impact they will have, particularly on Aboriginal children. But the Country Liberal party government believes it has been given a mandate for overhauling the justice system after campaigning heavily on crime in the lead up to the August election.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email