‘Woke agenda’: Potshots hurled as Crisafulli Government defends rollout of youth crime laws
Tensions flared in parliament after the Crisafulli Government was repeatedly asked why rape and attempted murder were left out of new legislation pegged to hold teenagers accountable for ‘adult crimes’.
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During the first sitting of Queensland parliament in 2025 the Crisafulli Government refused to answer questions about the December rollout of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ law reforms and the glaring omission of rape and attempted murder.
On Tuesday, February 18, the first question put to Premier David Crisafulli by opposition leader Steven Miles during question time focused on the government’s controversial Making Queensland Safe Laws which were rushed through in December.
Mr Miles asked the premier if rape and attempted murder were included in their “Adult Time, Adult Crime,” campaign before the party won the election.
He went on to ask, if they were originally included, when was it that Attorney-General Deb Frecklington removed those offences?
Rather than answering the question, Mr Crisafulli said he delivered on his promise to the electorate before he took aim at the Labor Party.
“We also said we would appoint an independent panel to look at future changes and there will be future changes,” he said.
“It’s important for Queenslanders to know that the job isn’t done.
“It’s also important for the Leader of the Opposition so that he can have time to try and get everybody on one page because what happened last time was nothing short of embarrassing.
“We had a member threaten to leave the caucus. We’ve had people of different factions jump from one to another.”
When Mr Miles asked the same question again, this time to Ms Frecklington, she also did not answer the question.
She told Mr Miles he was “not up to the job” and called out Labor Party for being split on the new legislation before they were passed.
Because the opposition questioned the government on whether or not it originally intended for rape and attempted murder to be included in the law reforms, the Attorney-General said the party was “embarrassing themselves” and pandering to a “left woke agenda”.
“What have we done as opposed to those opposite, we put victims first, we’re listening to the victims, we’re not listening to our factional mates,” she said.
“Were they the ones that listened to the victims?
“It’s the left woke agenda of those opposite that sit back and now criticise our laws.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie was also asked about the omission and if he advised Ms Frecklington on the matter, he too did not answer the question.
“How dare those opposite come in here and have a go at us about our tough on crime laws,” he said.
“They came kicking and screaming into this house refusing to support our Making Queensland Safer Laws.
“They are ideologically opposed to it.”
Opposition health spokesman Mark Bailey said the police minister’s response to the question was arrogant.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm also did not respond to questions about whether or not she advised Ms Frecklington on the charges included in the reforms.
Ms Camm said when the laws passed in December, Mr Miles was more concerned about retaining his position “rather than putting victim’s rights first”.
When the new legislation passed on December 12, the Crisafulli Government released a statement on the 13 crimes nominated to ensure juveniles faced harsher penalties for ‘adult crimes’.
Those crimes were; murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, robbery, burglary, entering or being in premises and committing indictable offences, dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use or possession of motor vehicles, aircraft or vessels, and unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offences.
Premier Crisafulli said the new laws were “for every Queenslander who has ever felt unsafe and been a victim of youth crime across our state”.
“We have restored consequences for actions, and put victims’ rights ahead of offenders, as they always should have been.”
The Crisafulli government remains steadfast that any upcoming changes to the youth justice system as part of their Making Queensland Safer Laws will be up to an independent legal panel.
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Originally published as ‘Woke agenda’: Potshots hurled as Crisafulli Government defends rollout of youth crime laws
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