Qld Labor MP breaks ranks by calling for evidence-based youth crime strategy

A Queensland Labor backbencher has broken ranks to insist the government use evidence-based measures and “courage” to reform the criminal justice system, amid heated debate over the impact of youth crime.

The member for Cooper in Brisbane, Jonty Bush, who was a support campaigner for crime victims before being elected in 2020, also called on the government to provide more help for victims of home invasions.

Jonty Bush – pictured after her election in 2020 with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – is the only MP to make a submission over the controversial bill.Credit: Glenn Hunt

Her comments were contained in a written submission to the parliamentary committee considering the controversial youth justice laws, which are set to be debated in parliament next week after a report on Friday.

But it’s what Bush didn’t say – anything about breach of bail – that gave the clearest indication of internal party tensions over the crime crackdown among a progressive-leaning base, rising Greens vote and pressure from the LNP and some sections of the community for a more punitive response.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement last month that her government would seek to criminalise bail breaches by young offenders was widely criticised by legal experts and youth advocates. It was also a sharp U-turn on Labor’s long-held opposition to the LNP policy, which was based on public pressure rather than evidence.

Criminalising bail breaches, along with other measures to make bail even harder to get for some defendants, were pitched as tough responses to questioned claims of a “crisis” among serious repeat offenders. However, they also sparked warnings that they would ultimately pull more young people into deeper cycles of crime.

Bush began her submission by recounting her first-hand experience with the justice system as someone whose sister and father were killed by two young men, and by saying she recognised the community’s right to feel safe.

“I do believe we have an opportunity to improve community safety responses in Queensland, while also recognising strong and substantiated research into ‘what works’ in the criminal justice system and strengthen our response for victims of crime,” she wrote.

Also citing her post-graduate qualifications in criminology and criminal justice, Bush said it was crucial that the government remain committed to prioritising evidence-backed solutions that would “actually drive down criminal offending over a life-course”.

She went on to “acknowledge” a number of the government’s measures around fast-tracking remand and expanding investment in case-work, high-visibility police patrols, co-responder teams and place-based initiatives, but she failed to mention breach of bail.

Bush also said a focus on early intervention was key, referencing its place as a pillar in the government’s youth justice strategy to keep children out of court and custody and to reduce reoffending – something experts have said recent government crackdowns contradict.

The opposition, which is calling for tougher measures and an audit of government spending on diversion programs, attempted to claim a win on Wednesday by pointing to year-old confirmation from the Queensland Audit Office that it would probe the effectiveness of these next financial year.

In her submission, Bush also suggested further efforts to improve the experience of victims, whose submissions to the committee included dissatisfaction with support and calls for tougher punishments.

Her ideas included expanding help to those who have experienced home invasions, increasing the use of mediation conferences between victims and offenders by potentially making them mandatory, and giving real-time information about the progress of an investigation or prosecution.

In a final line, Bush added: “Reforming Queensland’s criminal justice system will take steadfast dedication, focus and courage, and I wish you the best of luck in your considerations.”

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