Youth crime Qld: Figures show adult time laws working

Youth crime data has provided the first indication the government’s controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws are working. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Premier David Crisafulli flanked by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Deb Frecklington (left) and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber

• Explainer: Qld’s youth crime crisis

The number of children committing serious offences has dropped by a third in three months – the first evidence the state’s landmark “adult crime, adult time” laws are working.

Government figures show a 32 per cent drop in cases against children charged with at least one of an initial 13 ­offences included in the new laws, with 1359 cases lodged between December 13 and March 28 – down 756 cases on the same period the year prior.

The laws, which David ­Crisafulli staked his future premiership on during a youth-crime-focused election campaign, include adult sentences for children convicted of a list of serious offences.

They include murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, burglary and unlawful use of a vehicle.

Speaking on breakfast television on Monday, Mr Crisafulli said the results showed “green shoots” of success.

“We are starting to turn the corner. I have to stress we have a long way to go. Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he told Channel 7’s Sunrise.

David Crisafulli said there was still a lot of work to do on the issue of youth crime. Picture: John Gass

“We passed the first wave of the changes to Adult Crime, Adult Time. I can assure Queenslanders that the second wave will pass Parliament next month. We are serious about driving down what is a youth crime crisis in this state.”

He said youth crime numbers were still too high.

“We have to drive it down. Victim numbers first and foremost, all these other numbers are good pointers to what we’re trying to do,” he said.

“First and foremost, my sole focus is making sure there are fewer victims of crimes. But I want every Queenslander to know that we are going to drive this down every single day.

“Every change we make to the laws won’t be weakening it, it will be strengthening it. I can assure you, every single day we’re focused on fewer victim numbers. Yes, it took a decade to create, but the early signs are that it’s finally starting to show those green shoots to come through. We have a long way to go.”

Mr Crisafulli said it was “heartening” to hear juveniles were being sentenced under the new laws in Queensland courts.

“There have been a few sentences where we looked at the language of the magistrates, and it’s been heartening,” he told 4BC radio.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the reforms were showing promising early signs. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

“Some of them have used terms like ‘Well, under the new laws, I have to sentence you as an adult’ … this is a reflection that the laws are there, and there are magistrates who are prepared to use them.

“The fact that these little punks are saying my name and reflecting the new laws tells you that they’re aware of it; that, to me, is a good thing.

“They can taunt all they like, but the laws are there, and the only changes to the laws will be to make them stronger. If they need to be stronger in the future, they’ll be stronger again.”

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Deb Frecklington said the reforms were showing promising early signs but broader improvements in youth crime rates would take time.

“We’re starting to see courts impose tougher sentences and take dangerous repeat offenders off our streets,” she said.

“Adult crime, adult time is putting the rights of victims ahead of offenders, and allows magistrates to deliver sentences that reflect community expectations.”

Exclusive transcripts provided to The Courier-Mail show magistrates are using the new powers to impose harsher penalties for the 13 offences in the first tranche of laws.

In Far North Queensland, a youth charged with entering premises and seriously assaulting a person over 60 was sentenced to 12 months’ detention.

“The laws were changed ­recently because of children committing offences like these,” the magistrate said.

“It is no longer the case that (a child) receives a child’s punishment. She is to be sentenced as if she were an adult.”

In Wide Bay, another youth was sentenced to 18 months’ ­detention after being convicted of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and entering a dwelling.

“You have provided me opportunity to send a very clear message to those children at who may think that the behaviour that they go through is exciting or happy, or good,” the sentencing magistrate said.

“I can send them a very clear message through you that you will have very poor consequences for people who choose to live that lifestyle.”

The government has already moved to expand “adult crime, adult time” laws, with legislation before Parliament to extend the tougher sentencing approach to 33 offences due to be debated next month.

Additional offences will include going armed to cause fear, threatening violence, assaulting a pregnant woman and killing or doing harm to an unborn child, ramming an emergency vehicle, endangering a police officer, several rape offences, stealing a vehicle or firearm and kidnapping.

The new laws will also ensure children sentenced to life in prison have to serve a minimum non-parole period of 15 years.

Originally published as Youth crime Qld: Figures show adult time laws working