Queensland juvenile criminals may be refused bail under new youth justice laws

The law change “aimed squarely at repeat and prolific young offenders” comes after a strong campaign with police among those fed-up with “revolving door” releases.

A SOLE word change to youth justice laws – which will see recidivist young offenders deemed a danger to the community refused bail – has satisfied the police union fed-up at “revolving door” releases.

Amendments, which State Government spruiked as simplifying and strengthening youth bail laws, passed in parliament on Wednesday.

A single word change to youth justice laws will see young recidivist criminals who pose a danger to the community refused bail.

Now a child “must” be kept – instead of “may” be kept – in custody if an unacceptable risk to the safety or welfare of a person, or if there is unacceptable risk to community safety.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said they had called for tougher laws amid frustration with youth juvenile: “These amendments plug the loophole that meant police repeatedly saw juveniles returned to the streets when they should have been kept in custody.

“Now magistrates have power to keep juvenile offenders behind bars, we will be keeping a close eye on these laws to ensure those magistrates now apply the new legislation.”

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said the laws were “aimed squarely at repeat and prolific young offenders”.

“With these amendments, we are clearly telling courts if there is unacceptable risk to community safety, young people must be kept in custody.”

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer, Parliament House, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston

Ms Farmer had said the laws would be amended in March due to community perception of the legislation in what LNP branded a “backflip”. Days before, Police Minister Mark Ryan insisted the Government believed the intention of the law was clear but conceded they would consider changing it.

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The changes come as the Gold Coast continues to grapple with youth crime.

Police Union South Eastern official Sergeant Andy Williams has said teen crims were swarming like “locusts on a field” breaking into homes and stealing cars in one suburb, before moving to the next.

But Ms Farmer said the amendments followed record investment in early intervention, new detention centre beds and extra police: “There’s been a 30 per cent drop in the number of kids committing offences since 2010, what we are left with is a small hardcore group of repeat offenders who commit 44 per cent of youth offences.”