Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, has admitted that the state’s already overcrowded youth justice system will face “real pressure” as a result of his government’s new youth justice laws.
The “Adult Crime, Adult Time” Bill Passes Parliament
The Making Queensland Safer Bill sailed through state parliament on Thursday, fulfilling the LNP government’s election promise. But the new laws are set to increase maximum sentences for child offenders, putting even more strain on the state’s already bursting-at-the-seams jails.
A Decade of Overcrowding
Queensland’s prisons have been overcrowded for over a decade, and the new laws will only add to the pressure. Whistleblowers have accused police watch houses of being “horrendous” during the Christmas peak last year.
Crisafulli Acknowledges Short-Term Challenges
Premier Crisafulli concedes that there will be “short-term challenges” as a result of the new laws. However, he claims the government has a plan to build more detention facilities and explore alternative options in the long term.
The Laws Apply to Children as Young as 10
The new laws designate 13 offences as “adult crimes”, including serious assaults, breaking and entering, and dangerous operation of a vehicle. Children as young as 10 convicted of these crimes will face the same sentence as adults, including a life sentence with a 20-year minimum non-parole period for murder.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
Many have criticized the laws for being discriminatory against young people and will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The government acknowledges that the laws go against international and state human rights law.
Victims of Crime Take Center Stage
At a press conference, Premier Crisafulli was flanked by victims of crime, emphasizing that the goal is to reduce the number of victims. He pointed out that the number of victims has increased every year for the past decade.
Expert Panel to Review Effectiveness
Crisafulli announced that an expert panel will review the effectiveness of the laws and potentially expand them. He also hinted that the government will introduce a second tranche of crime legislation early next year, including a public child sex abuser register.
Critics Slam the Bills
A range of expert and human rights groups have condemned the bills, including the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton. Queensland’s human rights commissioner, Scott McDougall, described the bill as “a major step in the wrong direction”.
What Do You Think?
Do you think the new laws will make Queensland safer, or will they put more pressure on an already strained youth justice system? Let us know in the comments!