Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws are working

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has claimed his crackdown on youth crime is working, releasing new figures showing juvenile offence numbers fell 32 per cent over the summer.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and Police Minister Dan Purdie at a news conference. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has claimed his crackdown on youth crime is working, releasing new figures showing juvenile offence numbers fell 32 per cent over the summer.

The most recent government figures show 1359 cases relating to serious youth crime offences between December 13 and March 28 – 756 fewer compared with a year earlier.

Mr Crisafulli, who used “adult crime, adult time” laws as his main campaign pitch during the 2024 state election, said the reductions are a “small first step” in reducing youth crime statistics in Queensland.

The laws mandate that juveniles who commit serious offences such as murder and manslaughter are sentenced as adults.

“In the first quarter, we’ve seen the first glimmer of hope that it’s starting to turn around the other way,” Mr Crisafulli said. “They are a small step forward, but we’ve got a long way to go if we’re going to fix the youth crime crisis in this state.

“So that is a step in the right direction, but it’s far from a job done. In fact, it’s just the first step.”

Youth Justice and Victim Support Minister Laura Gerber during the first meeting of the newly formed expert legal panel. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

He focused on government figures that there had been a statewide 8.4 per cent reduction in stolen cars and 8.2 per cent in break-and-enters.

The legislation, passed on December 13, applies to 13 serious offences, including murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a vehicle.

The Premier said the government will introduce additional offences including attempted murder, kidnapping, rape, arson and ramming a police car.

This second wave is planned to pass parliament next month.

At a press conference in Brisbane on Monday, Mr Crisafulli refused to specify whether youth crime-related expert legal panel advice will be released.

During the first full quarter of the legislation being in effect, the government appointed an expert legal panel to provide advice on future youth crime-related amendments to Queensland’s Youth Justice Act. “Let’s just let them do their job,” he said.

“On ‘adult crime, adult time’, there’s a lot more work to do. They’ve only been established a little while. They’ve done a good job so far.”

The government figures were released ahead of the latest parliamentary week.