The State Government is moving to get tough on crooks who try to circumvent the law by recruiting children to commit crimes, under laws to be introduced to State Parliament this week.

Under the proposed legislation, perpetrators would face up to 15 years in jail, or even more if the offence committed by the youth can attract a greater sentence.

South Australia does not presently have a general offence provision dealing with adults who recruit children to engage in criminal activity.

If passed, South Australia would have the toughest penalties in the country for people who recruit children to break the law.

The recruitment offence will apply where a child is recruited to commit a major indictable offence. If the major indictable offence that the child is recruited for attracts a maximum penalty greater than 15 years in jail, they will be exposed to the greater of the two penalties.

An adult can be convicted of the recruitment offence whether or not the child actually engages in the criminal activity, and whether or not the child is or can be prosecuted for, or is found guilty of, the criminal activity.

Quotes

Attributable to Kyam Maher

Anyone who involves children in crime deserves to face the full force of the law.

These laws would give South Australia the toughest penalties in the nation, sending a clear message that we will throw the book at anyone who tries to get a child to commit a serious crime.

Ensuring the safety of the community is one of the top priorities of the State Government. This Government will do whatever is necessary to protect the community from criminal offending and safeguard the wellbeing of young South Australians.