Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber talks youth crime in Maryborough

Queensland’s Minister for Youth Justice has announced “small” drops in property crimes around the Fraser Coast.

Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber was joined by local MP John Barounis and victims of youth crime at a media op in Maryborough on Wednesday, May 14.

Queensland’s Youth Justice Minister has given new ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws a big tick, claiming the Fraser Coast has seen “noticeable” drops in property offending.

Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber was joined by local MP John Barounis in town last week to announce the government’s new laws were working, claiming a small decrease is noticeable for stolen car and break-and-enter offences in 2025.

The laws, which passed before Christmas, aim to make communities safer by providing stronger deterrents to youth offenders.

“In the last quarter, there has been a 16.3% decrease in stolen cars and a 13.3% decrease in break and enters in the Maryborough region,” Ms Kerber said.

“Those are small, incremental changes... but we’ve got a long way to go.

“This points to some of the change we’re starting to see across the state in relation to Adult Crime, Adult Time.”

Ms Gerber said Maryborough residents “suffered too long” under Labor’s dealing with youth crime, before inviting victims to share their stories on how the old laws failed to properly discipline offenders.

Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber was joined by local MP John Barounis and victims of youth crime at a media op in Maryborough on Wednesday, May 14.

Sydney Elling told members of the media how his car had been stolen twice where, in one instance, youth offenders broke into his home through the front screen door, took his wallet and keys, and drove his car through the locked front gate.

It was later found dumped in a cane field.

Mr Elling believes those caring for children should held accountable more, stating: “Kids should be taught discipline in schools”.

The laws have come under scrutiny from major organisations including the United Nations and Amnesty Australia, who say they violate human rights.

The government has added an additional 20 charges to the Adult Crime, Adult Time legislation to include offences such as attempted murder, rape, and torture.

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Originally published as Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber talks youth crime in Maryborough