Queensland’s new Liberal government has delivered on its key election promise, passing new hardline youth justice laws.
The laws, a key part of the party’s “adult crime, adult time” policy will see juvenile offenders who are charged with serious crimes including murder, manslaughter, serious assault and robbery face tougher maximum sentences.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The Queensland Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
That means an offender as young as ten years old who is found guilty of murder could face a mandatory life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years.
Previously, the maximum penalty for murder for 10- to 17-year-olds was 10 years in jail in the state with life imprisonment only considered if the crime was “particularly heinous”.
The laws also remove the principle of “detention as a last resort” a key cornerstone of how Western democracies approach crime – prioritising things like community service and fines over jail time.
The LNP campaigned heavily on this issue, with the Premier saying the laws are supported by victims and the community.
The 35 Labor MPs present voted in favour of the Making Queensland Safer Bill – the state’s only Greens MP, Michael Berkman and independent MP for Noosa, Sandy Boulton voted against it.
Australia’s Commissioner for Children has described the laws as an “international embarrassment,” while the UN says they disregard international conventions on the human rights of children and violate international law.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.