‘Not allowing democratic process’: Government slammed for youth crime submission timeline

The state government has been accused of “not prioritising” youth justice for allocating less than three days for public submissions on its new youth crime legislation.

Youth justice experts have slammed the Queensland government. Picture: Supplied

Youth justice experts have slammed the state government for allowing less than three days for public submissions on its new teen crime legislation, saying it was proof the laws were being rushed through.

The Queensland Law Society has been a vocal critic of the government on a lack of consultation in creating the bill, and say the Friday midday deadline for written submissions to the parliament’s Economics and Governance Committee was inadequate.

Queensland Law Society President, Chloé Kopilović, said youth justice laws needed a proper consultation period.

“We have consistently advocated for proper consultation and the news of a two week reporting deadline on the new Bill is proof the government are not prioritising youth justice by rushing it through,” she said.

“We … hope the government takes the time to seriously consider submissions received from experts in youth justice.”

Queensland Law Society President, Chloe Kopilović, said youth justice laws needed a proper consultation period. Picture: Supplied

The QLS has raised concerns with extending the breach of bail as an offence to children – a backflip policy announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday – and the overriding of the Human Rights Act to legislate several key laws.

“Extending breach of bail as an offence to children and young people would restrict the ability of judicial decision-makers and therefore will likely lead to a substantial increase in the financial cost of remand and recidivist offending, as well as the social and financial costs of victimisation,” Ms Kopilović said.

PeakCare Queensland executive director Lindsay Wegener said organisations were furious at the time frame.

“It’s made it extremely difficult to contribute in a constructive way,” he said.

“It’s very complex, and there’s a lot of detail we won’t be able to respond to because we won’t have the opportunity.

“In the absence of an upper house, it’s really concerning – it’s not allowing that democratic process to take place.”

Lindsay Wegener Executive director of PeakCare, said organisations were “furious” at the time frame given by the Queensland government for the public to submit submissions on youth crime. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The Premier has confirmed the laws would be fast-tracked through the committee process, with the final report from the committee due on March 10.

“The committee will have the opportunity for over two weeks of consultation,” she said.

“Secondly, it will enable members here to go back to their communities to talk about these reforms in their local communities and to be able to come back here and speak on these issues.”

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard was in the firing line during Wednesday’s Question Time in parliament, with the Opposition launching several questions on the issues of youth justice and child safety.

Asked by the media on the question of the government’s decision to override human rights provisions with the new legislation, Ms Linard said it was “significant”.

“The Minister for Police (Mark Ryan) indicated that. We don’t make these changes lightly,” she said.

“But we also know that Queenslanders are fearful that they are calling on us to make significant changes. And the changes that were announced yesterday by the Premier, we know are significant.

“And as I said, we don’t do that lightly. But we do need to address the 17 per cent who are causing 50 per cent and making the community so concerned.”