Queensland has introduced new legislation that imposes adult-level penalties on children as young as 10 for crimes including murder and serious assault. This decision, described by the government as necessary for community safety, has faced significant backlash from experts and human rights advocates. Despite a significant decline in youth crime rates over the past decades, government officials claim that tougher measures are essential to combat a perceived crime wave in the state.
The new laws, branded “adult crime, adult time,” will impose mandatory life sentences for murder, a significant increase from the previous maximum of 10 years. As part of this legislative overhaul, the government has also removed provisions that typically prioritize non-custodial sentences for minors, allowing judges access to a child's full criminal history during sentencing.
Despite assurances from the Queensland Police Union and the Attorney-General that these changes will enhance accountability and address crime patterns, critics, including international human rights bodies, argue that such measures may disproportionately affect Indigenous youth and lead to an inflated detention population.
Moreover, Australia’s commissioner for children, Anne Hollonds, has labeled this legislation as an “international embarrassment,” underscoring concerns that engaging children with the justice system at a younger age could perpetuate a cycle of criminal behavior. Additional apprehensions were raised about the potential for longer court delays, as the harsher penalties might deter young offenders from pleading guilty.
This legislative development has brought significant attention to the balance between community safety and the rights of children within the justice system, stirring debates among lawmakers, experts, and the public about the best approach to tackle youth crime in Queensland.
The new laws, branded “adult crime, adult time,” will impose mandatory life sentences for murder, a significant increase from the previous maximum of 10 years. As part of this legislative overhaul, the government has also removed provisions that typically prioritize non-custodial sentences for minors, allowing judges access to a child's full criminal history during sentencing.
Despite assurances from the Queensland Police Union and the Attorney-General that these changes will enhance accountability and address crime patterns, critics, including international human rights bodies, argue that such measures may disproportionately affect Indigenous youth and lead to an inflated detention population.
Moreover, Australia’s commissioner for children, Anne Hollonds, has labeled this legislation as an “international embarrassment,” underscoring concerns that engaging children with the justice system at a younger age could perpetuate a cycle of criminal behavior. Additional apprehensions were raised about the potential for longer court delays, as the harsher penalties might deter young offenders from pleading guilty.
This legislative development has brought significant attention to the balance between community safety and the rights of children within the justice system, stirring debates among lawmakers, experts, and the public about the best approach to tackle youth crime in Queensland.
