‘Adult Time’ for Young Offenders Now Queensland Law

The move by Labor to support the laws has led one MP to ’think about' her future.

LNP Premier David Crisafulli addresses the media at Parliament House in Brisbane, Australia on Oct. 27, 2024. AAP Image/Darren England

Queensland has passed the Making Queensland Safer laws, introducing harsh penalties for young offenders, including adult sentences for serious crimes.

Premier David Crisafulli’s government delivered the laws ahead of Christmas, fulfilling a key election promise to crack down on the state’s youth crime crisis.

The new laws, set to take effect on Dec. 20, will see young offenders in Queensland face adult penalties for committing serious crimes including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, and robbery.

Detention as a last resort for minors will no longer apply.

Courts will also have the right to consider a youth offender’s full criminal history and open up the Children’s Court to victims, their families and media.

This legislation has ignited fierce debate, with critics accusing the government of violating human rights and Labor MPs deeply divided over their support.

The move caused a rift among Labor MPs, with a majority of the caucus opposing the laws but later regrouping with majority support.

The LNP has defied stern criticism from some United Nations representatives who said the laws violate human rights.

Queensland Attorney General Deb Frecklington has been straightforward in admitting parts of the laws violate international law but says the situation in the state has been so dire it amounts to an exceptional circumstance.

“These laws are for every Queenslander who has ever felt unsafe and been a victim of youth crime across our state,” Crisafulli said in a statement.

“Queenslanders voted for it, we’ve delivered it and now Adult Crime, Adult Time will be law before Christmas.

“These laws are the first strike back against the Youth Crime Crisis to start restoring safety where you live.”

The move comes as police data revealed Queensland had recorded 50,000 incidents of youth crime in a 12-month period.

“We have restored consequences for actions, and put victims’ rights ahead of offenders, as they always should have been,” Crisafulli said.

Attorney-General Frecklington said the new laws were a first step in restoring community safety.

“Make no mistake, the holiday is over for young offenders and, if you commit an adult crime, you will face adult time,” she said.

Police Minister Dan Purdie the laws would assist police officers in protecting Queenslanders from “rampant crime and out of control youths flagrantly working the system to their advantage”.

The laws will sit alongside early intervention and rehabilitation programs.

Labor Clashes Over Laws

It was a tense week for the state’s opposition, as the Labor Party caucus clashed over support for the new rules.

On Dec. 9, Labor held a meeting to determine how the party would vote, and 16 MPs voted against supporting the new laws, with 15 voting in favour.

By the time Labor held a second meeting on Dec. 12, all but eight MPs voted in favour of Labor’s support for the laws.

Member for Cooper Jonty Bush was visibly upset during the Labor meeting, closing her eyes and wearing headphones.

Outside the Labor caucus meeting, Bush revealed she was weighing up her options in the wake of her party’s support for the Making Queensland Safer laws.

“We have a long and strong and proud history of doing what’s right and sticking with our values and protecting victims’ rights and never giving up on the children and young people,” she told media.

“That’s my position today and I will be taking some time to have a think about my future.”

The other Labor MPs opposing the laws were Corinne McMillan, Mel McMahon, Shane King, Mark Bailey, Meghan Scanlon, Barbara O'Shea and Joe Kelly, while Leanne Enoch abstained.