Youth justice reform hearing to be held on Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast locals will be invited to have their say on youth justice reforms at a public hearing later this month, with one local MP warning it will “take a lot of work” to solve the crisis gripping the state.

The Youth Justice Reform Select Committee is set to hold a public hearing on the Sunshine Coast later this month.

Sunshine Coast locals will be invited to have their say on youth justice reforms at a public hearing later this month, with a local MP claiming “there’s no quick fixes” to the youth crime crisis.

It comes as the Queensland Parliament’s Youth Justice Reform Select Committee has reopened its call for submissions while confirming plans to hold a public hearing at the Mercure Sunshine Coast at Kawana Waters on Friday, February 23.

Chaired by independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, the committee is calling on Sunshine Coast and Noosa residents to share their views on the priority areas that have been identified in submissions and at public meetings.

“We just want to hear from people from across Queensland in response to the priority areas, that’s what we want to do,” Ms Bolton said.

“We don’t want to pre-empt what our community’s views are, we would like them to tell us what they think about as potential solutions.”

Youth Justice Reform Select Committee Chair and Noosa MP Sandy Bolton MP at the Inquiry into Youth Justice Reform in Queensland at Brisbane Parliament. Picture David Clark

The priority areas identified so far include considering whether changes are needed to the Youth Justice Act 1992, how to strengthen public confidence in the youth justice system, as well as the development of a long-term strategy for youth justice in Queensland.

Ms Bolton added that it is crucial to seek the views of the community and key stakeholders in finding a solution to the youth crime crisis.

Committee Secretary Dr Amanda Been and Chair Ms Sandy Bolton MP at a Youth Justice Reform Select Committee meeting in Cairns, February 7, 2024.

“As we have heard during this inquiry, there are no quick fixes, this is going to take a lot of work because the contributors include poverty and undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, with many of these offenders victims themselves of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and addictions,” she said.

“We’ve heard many times from police that you cannot arrest your way out of this, we’ve heard many times that detention is not a deterrent, and we have heard many, many times that interventions are not early enough.

“We need to create safer communities, not just now but into the future, and if we don’t address the contributors, this will continue.”

Submissions on the priorities put forward by the committee are open and can be made online until Friday, March 1.