In a backflip from the State Government, Labor has reintroduced breach of bail as an offence for juveniles in a bid to tackle youth crime across Queensland.
After repeatedly saying it wouldn’t be effective the change to youth justice laws were introduced when parliament resumed yesterday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the move follows community feedback and is about putting safety first.
“We will use the full force of the law to target the small cohort of serious repeat offenders that currently pose a threat to community safety,” she says.
“When these kids reoffend time and again, we need the police to catch them. And we need the courts to do their job.
“They have the resources. They have the laws. They have the tools.”
The Government will take a three step approach including targeting serious repeat offenders that will involve returning breach of bail conditions and increasing youth detention capacity.
The second focuses of tackling complex causes of youth crime through investing in early intervention programs and intensive case management.
Finally, more resources will be available for community safety.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is welcoming the decision.
“After eight years, Labor has been forced to acknowledge they have a youth crime crisis of their own making,” he says.
“Monday afternoon the Palaszczuk Government finally admitted they got it wrong in 2015 by watering down laws.
“They have now adopted our policy to introduce breach of bail as an offence for young offenders to keep Queenslanders safe.
“This is despite the Government opposing it as recently as Sunday!
“It just goes to show we are doing more governing from Opposition than the Government.”
