A Liberal and Nationals Government will crack down on criminals and make communities safer by introducing new Adult Crime, Adult Time laws within the first 100 days of Government.
Labor has lost control of crime across NSW with young people increasingly at the centre – being recruited to carry out gangland hits, committing violent crimes and breaking into people’s homes.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have repeatedly put forward stronger laws, which include Anytime, Anywhere Knife Wanding laws and tougher penalties for those who recruit children to commit crimes, only to be met by opposition from the Minns Labor Government.
Under the reforms adult sentences would apply to additional serious crimes alongside offences already classified as a serious children indictable offence.
We will also double funding for the Community Safety Investment Fund to $10 million and fund expanded diversion, school suspension and post-detention rehabilitation programs to put young people back on the right track.
Member for Manly, James Griffin MP said under the NSW Liberals and National’s plan, victims would be put first and serious youth offenders will face real consequences for their crimes.
“The face of crime has changed, and serious youth criminals should face consequences that reflect community expectations,” Mr Griffin said.
“The Liberals and Nationals will tackle crime from all sides, intervening early, deterring offending and throwing the weight of the law at those who commit crimes to keep NSW communities safe.
“Young people who commit serious crimes should face serious consequences, but we also want to be doing all we can to ensure young people don’t commit those crimes to begin with.”
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said she believes in tough love which means doing everything we can to support young people and put them on the right track. But if you commit a serious adult crime, there should be serious adult consequences.
“For too long youth offenders who have committed serious crimes in our state have faced consequences that don’t match community expectations, that will end under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Adult Crime, Adult Time laws,” Ms Sloane said.
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said regional NSW is dealing with a youth crime crisis and is sick of waiting for Labor to get tough on the issue.
“Regional NSW has had enough. From Moree to Dubbo, families, business owners and older Australians have had enough of living with violent crime and kids running riot,” Mr Singh said.
“We won’t be afraid to throw the book at serious youth offenders to ensure they face consequences for their actions. Our communities have had enough.”
Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Anthony Roberts said police officers were sick of arresting the same serious youth criminals just to see them back on the streets.
“Our police do a great job keeping our communities safe, we need to back them with laws to ensure that serious youth offenders face proper consequences for violent crimes,” Mr Roberts said.
Last modified: September 14, 2026
