Huge penalties, sweeping reforms to youth justice announced in wake of ‘absolute tragedy’ North Lakes murder

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced major reforms to youth justice in the wake of a woman’s horrific murder north of Brisbane.

Juveniles face up to 14 years in jail for stealing cars – with harsher penalties if they boast of their crimes on social media – while major amendments to the Youth Justice Act will require courts to scrutinise young offenders’ bail and criminal records during sentencing.

The sweeping reforms to Queensland’s youth justice response were announced by premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday, three days after North Lakes woman Emma Lovell was allegedly murdered at her home.

Two boys, both aged 17, have been charged with her murder.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a suite of reforms to youth justice in the wake of Emma Lovell’s death on Boxing Day, including harsher penalties for young car thieves and new rules for sentencing juvenile offenders. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The horrific death has thrust the state’s response to youth crime back into the spotlight, with the state opposition calling for an overhaul to youth justice laws.

As part of the amendments, the Queensland premier said $9.89M would be fast-tracked for new sentencing programs in Brisbane, Townsville, Southport and Cairns so children spend “less time on remand and more time serving their sentences”.

The maximum penalty for stealing a car will be increased from 7 to 10 years’ jail, Ms Palaszczuk said.

She said that would further increase to a more severe penalty of 14 years’ jail if the offence is committed at night and the offender is using or threatening violence; armed, or pretending to be armed; in company with others or threatens to damage property.

The same penalties will also apply to adults.

“These are tough measures, they will be put in place and the community safety is paramount here,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The changes come after North Lakes woman Emma Lovell was allegedly murdered at her home by two boys on Boxing Day. Picture: Facebook

In addition, amendments to the Youth Justice Act will require courts to take a juvenile offender’s previous bail history, criminal activity and track record into account during sentencing.

Two new youth detention centres will be constructed and a Youth Crime Taskforce Commander will be appointed within the Queensland Police Service.

Ms Palaszczuk also paid tribute to the Lovell family, who are still grieving the loss of Emma Lovell, who died in an alleged home invasion north of Brisbane.

Ms Lovell died from a stab wound she allegedly sustained defending her North Lakes home.

“Today we stand with the community and the Lovell family – an absolute tragedy I know has gripped this state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The scene on Whitfield Crescent where Emma Lovell was allegedly murdered. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Blake Antrobus

The state opposition has reiterated their calls for a legislative overhaul in the wake of Ms Lovell’s death, including making breach of bail an offence for juveniles.

“We want to see the government sit down at the table with us, with law enforcement bodies, with victims of crime groups, with the myriad of people who have lost loved ones over the last couple of years, we want to sit at the table and see what that looks like,” opposition leader David Crisafulli told Sky News Australia.

Manager of opposition business Andrew Powell demanded parliament be recalled as a result of the “failed legislation and leadership” from the state Labor government.

On Thursday, Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll said a small percentage of young offenders were responsible for 50 per cent of youth crime.

“It’s this group we need to deal with the most into the future,” she said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the increased penalties would allow young offenders to spend more time serving their sentences and completing their rehabilitation programs.

“Targeted programs will be rolled out in key locations including the establishment of a Street University in Townsville and funding for a Safer Streets Program and Midnight Basketball in Cairns.

“We will never stop looking for innovative new ways to target wrongdoers and support the community.”

QUEENSLAND’S YOUTH JUSTICE REFORMS

1. Increasing the maximum penalty for stealing a car from 7 years to 10 years’ imprisonment
2. A more severe penalty of 14 years if the offence is committed at night, where the offender uses violence or threatens violence, is armed or pretends to be armed, is in company or damages or threatens to damage any property
3. Amend the Youth Justice Act requiring courts to take into account previous bail history, criminal activity and track record when sentencing
4. Increased penalties for criminals who have boasted about these crimes on social media
5. Extreme High Visibility Police Patrols
6. A $9.89 million fast-track sentencing program in Brisbane, Townsville, Southport and Cairns so children spend less time on remand and more time serving their sentences
7. The construction of two new youth detention centres
8. A trial of engine immobilisers in Mt Isa, Cairns and Townsville
9. The appointment within QPS of Assistant Commissioner to the position of Youth Crime Taskforce Commander
10. The increased penalties apply to adult as well as juvenile offenders.

Originally published as Huge penalties, sweeping reforms to youth justice announced in wake of ‘absolute tragedy’ North Lakes murder