The Queensland government has passed landmark youth crime laws legislating "adult crime, adult time" as promised in opposition and mandated by their election win.The policy was hugely popular with the electorate, amid perceptions the state is in the grips of a "youth crime crisis".An overwhelming 93 per cent of voters in a 9News online poll said they would support the legislation though experts have warned it could violate human rights, increase re-offending, cause harm to traumatised children and entrench disadvantage.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and members of his cabinet hold a media conference with youth crime victims and advocates at state parliament before the passage of the new LNP government's controversial "Making Queensland Safer" laws on Thursday, 12 December, 2024 (Matt Dennien)All LNP, Labor and Katter's Australian Party MPs voted in favour of the legislation, with only Greens Maiwar MP Michael Berkman and Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton voting against.
So what's changing?
The Making Queensland Safer Laws will see youth offenders who commit serious crimes handed the same penalties as adult offenders.This will apply to 13 serious offences including murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, home and business break-ins and robbery and dangerous operation of a vehicle.The laws also remove detention as a last resort, allow courts to consider a youth offender's full criminal history and open up the Children's Court to victims, their families and media.The laws will apply to children as young as 10.
Queensland state parliament voted on the laws last night. (9News)
How did we get here?
Despite a general consensus from experts that long-term crime rates are falling, there have been short-term increases in a number of key statistics.In 2023, Queensland recorded the highest number of victims (300,000) anywhere in the country and there were also recorded increases in assault, breaching domestic violence orders and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.A series of high-profile crimes, including the stabbing murder of Brisbane mother Emma Lovell in a home invasion in 2022 and the death of a young couple and their unborn child in a horror Australia Day crash in 2021, saw an upswell in community concern and campaigning by victims of crime advocates.
Hundreds marching at a rally for victims of youth crime in Queensland (Today)In early 2023, the Palaszczuk Labor government made breach of bail an offence and suspended the Queensland Human Rights Act so police watch houses and adult prisons could be used as youth detention centres.The LNP insisted the laws weren't tough enough and went to the election with a successful tough-on-crime campaign with "adult crime, adult time" as the cornerstone.
Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field were killed in a horror Australia Day crash. A 17-year-old boy behind the wheel of the other car, who pleaded guilty to a number of offences, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence for a child at the time. (Nine)
Will this work?
Premier David Crisafulli has pinned his political career, albeit loosely, on this legislation succeeding, vowing to stand down if there is not a reduction in victim numbers.However, experts are unconvinced.Child protection expert Catia Malvaso said tough-on-crime strategies "don't work" and can "exacerbate offending behaviour".She described "adult crime, adult time" as "criminalising childhood trauma, re-traumatising children and communities, and entrenching disadvantage"."Ultimately it will lead to worse outcomes for children and young people, and it will make the community less safe," she said.
What's next?
Queensland's Governor-General Jeanette Young must give the laws royal assent, after which they come into effect immediately.The government is now under pressure to reveal how it will deal with an increasing number of offenders being imprisoned, given the state's jails are already overcrowded.