Queensland cracks down on youth crime with tougher penalties

In Queensland, the new Liberal National Party government recently unveiled its 'adult crime, adult time' bill aimed at addressing youth crime in the state. This initiative was a response to public calls for stronger action against rising youth criminal activities. Premier David Crisafulli emphasized that Queenslanders had long voiced their concerns about youth crime, indicating that previous governments failed to respond adequately. The proposed legislation considerably increases the penalties for serious crimes such as murder and manslaughter, setting a mandatory life sentence for these offences, as well as introducing harsher penalties for robbery, grievous bodily harm, and car theft. The changes also stipulate that youth offenders can no longer have their criminal records wiped once they turn 18, a move intended to ensure accountability among young offenders. Courts will now have the authority to consider an offender's entire criminal history, enabling them to better understand patterns of offending when meting out sentences. With the law change, the Queensland government also plans to roll out high-quality early intervention programs designed to prevent youth crime. In addition, children's courts will become accessible to the media and support persons for victims, marking a notable shift towards transparency in the judicial process regarding youth offences. Although the government hopes to pass these laws by Christmas, they will first undergo a committee review. The opposition, while supporting the motion, criticized the lack of prior public disclosure about the specific provisions of the bill. This swift introduction highlights a growing urgency within the Queensland government to tackle youth crime effectively and restore public confidence in safety measures within the state.