Youth crime Qld: What ‘adult crime, adult time’ actually means
‘Adult crime, adult time’ laws will be introduced in parliament today and juveniles guilty of stealing cars risk being hit with a sentence ten times bigger than they currently face. FULL LIST OF SENTENCES
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Young criminals found guilty of stealing cars risk being hit with up to 10 years in jail under the state government’s landmark “adult crime, adult time” laws.
The tough new laws, to be introduced on Thursday during Parliament’s first sitting day, would also double the maximum sentence for children found guilty of burglary, serious assault of a police officer, carjacking and robbery from seven years to 14 years.
And children convicted of murder would face a maximum of life in prison.
Premier David Crisafulli, in what is the LNP’s first piece of legislation since winning government, will introduce the signature youth crime laws ensuring children who commit serious crimes face adult punishment.
Those crimes will include murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, robbery, burglary, break and enter, dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
“This is adult crime, adult time, the tough laws with consequences for actions, voted for by Queenslanders,” Mr Crisafulli said.
■ What you said about ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws
“This is the first strike back against a youth crime crisis a decade in the making.
“No one is suggesting there will be no crime, but these laws will start to restore safety to our community and mean fewer Queenslanders fall victim to crime.”
The new laws will increase the sentences the courts can dish out to children, but Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council data shows the average punishment handed out to adults for the same offences is far less than the available maximum.
A grievous bodily harm offence draws a maximum of 14 years in prison, but the council’s Sentencing Hub data shows the average sentence for an adult in the last five years has been 3 years and 5.6 months.
The maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years but the average prison sentence for adults is 1 year and 3.7 months.
For children the most common punishment for grievous bodily harm and burglary is currently probation.
Experts will be given just 12 days, including weekends, to scrutinise the complex laws and provide feedback to government, before parliament returns on December 10.
Despite Opposition Leader Steven Miles initially indicating he would support the crime laws, Labor will now consider the legislation before deciding.
Mr Crisafulli has pledged to pass the laws before Christmas.
Queensland Law Society president Rebecca Fogerty slammed the shorter time frame and raised concern the legislative and consultation process would be compromised.
“This is not minor law reform … the government will point to the seriousness as a means to justify,” she said.
“But fundamentally it allows them to escape scrutiny.
“When it comes to these controversial laws, the process should be as transparent as possible.”
It is understood the government is still conducting modelling around what impact the legislation will have on youth detention centres and watch house capacity.
The new laws aimed at curbing youth crime will precede a Bill to reinstate the Productivity Commission and another to get the 2032 Olympic Games back on track.
All three are tipped to be introduced on Thursday for the first ordinary sitting day of the 58th parliament.
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