Queensland Labor Scraps Detention as Last Resort for Minors in New Safety Plan
- Queensland changes wording in state legislation for child criminals.
- State goes against UN protocol on incarcerating child offenders.
- Implications of new law raise concerns about juvenile justice system.
Queensland Labor has officially abandoned the principle of detention as a last resort for minors with the launch of its new Community Safety Plan. The plan allows for the detention of children when necessary to ensure community safety, particularly when non-custodial measures are deemed insufficient. Premier Steven Miles emphasized that the initiative is evidence-based and aims to enhance public safety, stating, “Queenslanders deserve to feel safe, and be safe, in their communities.” The $1.28 billion Community Safety Plan also expands police powers under Jack’s Law, enabling random searches for weapons and increasing penalties for carrying knives in public. Additional measures include electronic monitoring of young offenders, addressing social media behavior related to crime, and introducing a firearms prohibition order scheme. The plan comes amid rising concerns over youth crime, which has become a focal point for the opposition LNP, particularly as crime statistics show significant increases in robberies and assaults across various regions. LNP leader David Crisafulli criticized the current approach, asserting that youth offenders have faced minimal consequences for their actions. He proposed the “Adult Crime, Adult Time” initiative, which aims to impose stricter penalties on young offenders and enhance early intervention and rehabilitation efforts. However, legal advocates like Monique Hurley have condemned the decision to remove the last resort clause, arguing it contradicts international human rights standards and could lead to more children being incarcerated. Hurley urged the government to prioritize alternatives to detention rather than resorting to punitive measures.