Australia’s toughest youth crime laws set to be rolled out in Queensland

A Townsville car theft victim and local leaders have weighed in on plans for a sweeping overhaul of youth justice laws cracking down on young criminals.

Crime victim Amy Simmons and local politicians have weighed in on planned changes to youth justice laws. Picture: Evan Morgan

Young car thieves could spend longer in jail as part of sweeping new youth justice amendments as North Queensland is engulfed by another juvenile crime wave.

The pressure on the government to act decisively was intense after Emma Lovell, 41, was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest after she and her husband Lee Lovell disturbed two teenage intruders who broke into their Brisbane home on Boxing Day.

On Thursday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed her plan to legislate some of Australia’s toughest youth crime laws, with the maximum penalty for stealing a car increased from 7 to 10 years, and to 14 years for offences committed at night.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk along with Police Minister Mark Ryan, Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll announce changes to youth justice laws in Queensland. Brisbane Thursday 29th December 2022 Picture David Clark

The Youth Justice Act would be amended to require courts to take into account previous bail history and criminal activity when sentencing.

There would also be an increased penalty for juveniles boasting crimes on social media, extreme high visibility police patrols, $9.8 million to fast track sentencing programs, two new detention centres, and an engine immobiliser trial for Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa.

The increased penalties would apply to adults as well as juvenile offenders.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said tougher penalties, elevated surveillance and a concentrated “extreme” police visibility would help disrupt the illegal activities.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the changes had been in the works for some time – the result of advocacy by Townsville’s state MPs on behalf of locals affected by crime.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“This has to stop … we’ve all had enough of it,” Mr Harper said.

(The changes) will make our community feel safer and send a very clear message to those people that steal cars, particularly with violence, that they will be going to jail.

“The courts will take into account the full history and make sure that people are held to account.”

He also flagged an early intervention program called Street University, which would be expanded into Townsville from Southeast Queensland.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli called for the government to recall state parliament in January to address youth crime, ahead of the scheduled return on February 21, 2023.

Mr Crisafulli said the breach of bail amendment was his top priority.

Queensland Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto outside Townsville Magistrates Court. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said the increased penalties will have little to no effect unless the fundamental guiding principles used to apply penalties during sentencing were addressed.

“We at least need minimum sentences. Unless the Premier is willing to remove “detention as a last resort” from the Youth Justice Act or introduce mandatory sentencing for prescribed crimes I believe we will see next to no difference to current penalties applied.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said the state government had “blood on their hands”. Picture: Shae Beplate.

While welcoming the notion of building two new detention centres, he warned that the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre had a 95 per cent reoffending rate, urging the government to instead trial his party’s Relocation Sentencing Policy.

Federal Herbert MP Philip Thompson said he received so many messages from local victims of crime who were devastated by the alleged murder of Emma Lovell and believe it could just as easily have been them.

“The Premier’s sudden interest in listening after so many years of Townsville begging for change is to save her own political life,” Mr Thompson said.

Victim of crime addresses youth justice law overhaul

A Townsville woman who had her car stolen in the dead of night has spoken out, saying the cause of youth crime needs to be addressed if any change to the state’s growing crime problem is to be made.

Amy Simmons’ comments come after the state government announced brand-new reforms specifically targeting juvenile car thieves.

Crime victim Amy Simmons. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Simmons’ car was stolen in 2021, and was forced to buy a new vehicle as well as install an additional $1200 for a car security system.

She said the idea that the actions of young offenders would stop because of new reforms was “ludicrous”.

“The current system isn’t working; increasing the maximum penalties is useless given the current maximum penalties currently in place aren’t effective,” Ms Simmons said.

She said more needed to be done to address the cause behind a child’s criminal offending.

“I have worked with a lot of kids, a lot of young people (in previous years), including young ones who have gone and stolen the cars, and the issues are so much more complex than putting them in lock-up and being, like, ‘okay the community is safe now,” she said.

“I think ensuring they are actually getting the rehabilitation side of it and understanding, and actually using their experiences (will assist).”

Originally published as Australia’s toughest youth crime laws set to be rolled out in Queensland