Fentiman dodges questions over Miles’ stunning attack as one of 13 children released on bail back in custody

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has become the latest Labor minister to distance themselves from Deputy Premier Steven Miles’ attack on the judiciary. It comes as one of the 13 children released on bail on Friday was taken back into custody.

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Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has become the latest Palaszczuk government minister to distance themselves from Deputy Premier Steven Miles’ stunning attack on the judiciary.

But the state’s top law officer has also declared everyone has a role to play in keeping Queenslanders safe, including the courts.

In an astonishing rebuke of the judiciary, Mr Miles last week hit out at Magistrate Viviana Keegan’s decision to release 13 alleged youth offenders on bail in a single day – calling the move a “media stunt”.

One of those children has already been taken back into custody.

Shannon Fentiman and Steven Miles.

The Courier-Mail asked Ms Fentiman on Monday if she supported Mr Miles’ comments about Magistrates Keegan’s decision, but the Attorney-General did not directly answer the question.

Instead she said it would be “inappropriate” for her to make specific comments while the matters were before the courts.

“However, I do want to make clear that community safety is this government’s first priority,” Ms Fentiman said in a statement.

“We all have a role to play in keeping Queenslanders safe, including our courts, police, community services, parents, and families.”

In the wake of the legal community roundly criticising Mr Miles, Ms Fentiman said she wanted to make clear the Palaszczuk government had great respect for the judiciary and the independence of the courts.

Treasurer Cameron Dick on Sunday also distanced himself from Mr Miles’ remarks in a clear deviation from the Deputy Premier’s scorching rhetoric.

At the weekend, one of the 13 kids released breached their bail conditions, which included a curfew and residential rules.

“Of the juveniles released from custody, one juvenile was found non-compliant and was returned to custody for reconsideration of bail,” a Queensland Police spokeswoman said on Monday.

“Since being granted bail on February 9, none of the juveniles have been arrested or charged with any offences.”

The spokeswoman also confirmed applications had been lodged by police to review the bail decision of three of the children.

“These three matters are set to be heard in the Townsville Supreme Court on Friday, February 17, 2023,” she said.

The Courier-Mail earlier reported on the Treasurer, right, distancing himself from the Deputy Premier's comments.

“Townsville police will continue to conduct additional patrols, extra bail compliance activities and a range of engagement strategies with a focus on community safety.”

Frustrated police ramped up patrols and bail checks over the last few days to ensure those released were behaving, with 205 checks on juveniles since February 9.

It is understood at least one of the children, all aged between 13 and 17, was a serious repeat offender with an extensive history of failing to comply with bail conditions.

The children were largely being held for alleged property offences such as car theft and armed robbery, though at least one had been charged with a domestic violence offence.

Mr Miles has come under scrutiny from the legal community for his comments, including by the Queensland Law Society – which said his remarks were “offensive to the doctrine of the separation of powers”.