The Queensland government has recently passed controversial legislation that permits children as young as 10 to be subject to the same legal penalties as adults for serious crimes such as murder, serious assault, and break-ins. Officials claim that these new laws are a necessary response to community concerns regarding youth crime and will serve as a deterrent. However, many experts and child advocacy groups have raised concerns that research indicates harsher penalties do not effectively reduce youth offending and may even aggravate the issue.
The United Nations has also criticized the reforms, highlighting that they violate international conventions on children's rights. Following the Liberal National Party's election victory in October, these laws have been promoted as prioritizing "the rights of victims" over those of offenders. Premier David Crisafulli stated the legislation aims to reassure Queensland residents who have felt unsafe due to youth crime.
Despite the government’s assertions, statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that youth crime in Queensland has significantly decreased over the past 14 years, reaching its lowest recorded rate in 2022. The newly enacted laws, dubbed "adult crime, adult time," impose mandatory life sentences for minors guilty of murder, raising the maximum penalty from 10 years to life, only to be considered in particularly heinous cases previously.
Moreover, the laws eliminate provisions favoring non-custodial measures such as community service for young offenders, allowing judges to consider a child's complete criminal history during sentencing. While the Queensland Police Union praised the changes as a positive step forward, the implications for Indigenous children and the already overcrowded detention facilities in Queensland have raised alarm among critics.
Queensland's Commissioner for Children, Anne Hollonds, condemned the reforms, labeling them an "international embarrassment" and warning of long-term negative repercussions for at-risk youth. Experts further warned that these changes could complicate legal proceedings, as children may be less inclined to plead guilty under tougher sentencing, resulting in longer court delays and affecting victims. As Queensland prepares its approach to youth crime, the focus remains on a balance between accountability and the rights of children.
