Territory legalises OC Spray for kids as young as 16

Key points

• The Northern Territory government will legalise OC Spray for self-defence, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to buy and carry it with parental or guardian consent. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the change follows a year-long trial with a 99 per cent success rate.
• Since the trial began, 5,976 canisters have been bought, and police have seized 69 canisters and identified 46 prohibited purchasers. The new rules ban young people from taking the spray into school grounds and widen household use in genuine emergencies.
• Western Australia is the only other jurisdiction allowing general sale of OC Spray.