Qld youth crime: Govt stands firm on crime stance despite glaring conviction fail

The Queensland Government has defended its record on youth crime amid revelations a teenage car thief has never had a conviction recorded even after more than 80 charges.

State government Minister Meaghan Scanlon has defended the Labor’s record on youth crime amid revelations a teenage car thief has never had a conviction recorded even after more than 80 charges.

The Opposition made renewed calls on the weekend for parliament to be urgently reconvened to deal with youth crime – but the government says it needs time to consult on its new proposed laws.

As she was asked about the teenager’s case on Saturday, Ms Scanlon said she needed to be “very careful” with any comments she made about individual cases.

“What I will say though is I absolutely appreciate that the community wants justice,” the Minister said, before referring to measures Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced in December.

A 15-year-old Brisbane boy who has not had a single conviction recorded even after appearing on over 80 charges.

In its first term, the government amended the Youth Justice Act to reinstate the principle that a detention order should be imposed only as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period.

Asked on Saturday why that principle should not be removed, Ms Scanlon pointed out that 80 per cent of young people who came before the criminal justice system never offended again.

“But, rightfully, if someone has committed an offence multiple times that should be considered in the sentencing and that’s what we will be doing,” she said.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said Queenslanders were living with the consequences of a watered down Youth Justice Act.

Flowers for Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field at the intersection of Vienna and Finucane Roads at Alexandra Hills. The couple were killed by a stolen car-driving teen who has since been jailed. Picture: Richard Walker

“The state government consistently says that repeat offenders aren’t out on our streets,” he said.

“Well, how much more repeat can you get than 80 charges without a conviction.”

Under the changes the government has foreshadowed, the Youth Justice Act will be amended to mandate that the courts must take into account the previous bail history of youth offenders when sentencing.