The Fyles Government has introduced a bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years old, which it has claimed will “break the cycle of youth crime”.

“We know the earlier a child comes into contact with the justice system, the more prolonged their involvement is likely to be,” Attorney General Chansey Paech said.

“The Territory Labor Government is breaking this cycle by raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years old. Legislation, introduced into Parliament today, will be debated in November.”

The change was brought on by pressure through a national campaign to raise the age across Australia to 14-years-old, an age the NT Government was not willing to legislate at this time.

The legislation comes amid a perceived spike in crime across the Northern Territory, with some recent incidents involving children as young as nine-years-old.

The CLP said the raising of the age would not “stop a single crime from happening” and questioned the timing of the legislation amid increased property crimes.

“The community sees the impact of this offending on their businesses, on their livelihoods, and on their community and now we know there will be no consequences for serious offending against them,” said CLP Youth Justice spokesman Josh Burgoyne.

“We have a Fyles Labor Government who don’t want consequences for young people’s actions, yet are failing to deliver the very programs that would keep them off the street.”

The NT Police Association also said that raising the age would not reduce crimes.

“All these changes will do is embolden youth offenders to continue committing violent crimes, without consequence,” said NTPA vice-president Lisa Bayliss.

Mr Paech said the legislation would be debated next month and was expected to come into effect some time next year.

He said under the proposed legislation, if a child 11 years or under engaged in conduct that would normally bring about a charge, the child would instead be referred to police and Territory Families “who will refer the child and their family to intensive parenting programs, as well as behavioural change programs”.

“NT Police will continue to conduct investigations and respond to the needs of victims,” he said.

“There are a number of operational programs and family support services already in place to assist families and children who require additional support and diversion options.”

The reforms were welcomed by different agencies that work with Indigenous communities across the NT.

“It’s something that Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, and all of our legal services Aboriginal organisations have really been fighting for for a long time,” said Priscilla Atkins, CEO of NAAJA.

“Lifting the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years of age means that the cruel practice of jailing 10- year-old children ceases,” said Central Land Council chair Robert Hoosan.

“It’s a long-overdue and welcome step on the way to raising the age to 14 years, in line with more enlightened and civilised societies. I hope the next NT budget will back this important reform with the resources for prevention, therapy and diversion needed to make it a success.”

Mr Paech said government agencies and service providers would be working to expand the programs and the government would also increase “accommodation options” for children who cannot be returned to their homes, but did not provide details or figures.

“Territorians deserve to feel safe and that’s why we are focusing on delivering positive, generational change that will benefit our children, their families and the wider community,” he said.

Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 was discussed at a national meeting of attorneys-general from across the country last November, but youth justice groups said at the time that raising the age to 12 and not 14 would do nothing to reduce the number of children currently in youth detention.