Annastacia Palaszczuk cuts down Queensland Police Union’s calls for tougher bail laws for young offenders

Annastacia Palasczuk says her government won’t consider calls for a tough crackdown on youth crime, including automatically locking up those charged while on bail.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has cut down calls to get tougher on youth criminals by automatically locking up those charged while on bail and treating children who use weapons as adults.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers called for the changes, as well as making breach of bail an offence.

But Ms Palaszczuk said the government had already toughened youth justice laws earlier this year as part of a suite of measures.

“And we were criticised by introducing those laws - some people said they were too tough - so those laws need to take effect,” she said.

“But of course we are concerned about juvenile crime, very concerned about the recent home invasion that happened.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Dan Peled

“And hopefully these new laws, the magistrates will definitely take into account those new laws and keep the troubled people off the streets.”

The Premier said the government would continue to work with the Police Union and others on measures that would make a difference to “stop the cycle of crime”.

But asked whether she would consider the union’s latest suggestions, she said: “Not at this stage.”

It comes after Mr Leavers revealed his frustration surrounding bail conditions for young offenders.

“If they commit crimes while on bail they should be locked up until sentenced,” Mr Leavers said Thursday morning.

“Welfare should be cut to the parents of the offenders.

“Courts need to do their job but sadly they are lacking.”

Figures released in April showed almost 100 young Queenslanders committed more than 30 offences while on bail during the 2020-21 financial year.

Earlier this year, the government introduced new laws this year aimed at cracking down on repeat youth offenders amid community pressure, with the legislation giving courts the power to deploy GPS devices on 16- and 17-year-olds as a condition of bail.

President of the police union Ian Leavers. Picture, John Gass

The laws also created a presumption against bail for young offenders charged with certain offences.

But Mr Leavers suggested a breach of bail should be an offence across the board.

“If they breach their bail they should stay locked up,” Mr Leavers said.

It comes as a third teenager – a 15-year-old – was charged over the alleged stabbing of Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu in his Coorparoo home.

The 15-year-old was on Wednesday charged with four counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm, and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enter, burglary and deprivation of liberty.