A parliamentary committee held public hearings across the state in March before recommending the bill be passed last week. Lawyers and advocates described the laws as a knee-jerk reaction that would disproportionately affect Indigenous youths,withfocus instead needed on diversionary programs and the child-protection system.

In submissions,The Australian Lawyers Alliance warned that GPS trackerscould inflame already growing concerns about vigilantism,while the Queensland Human Rights Commission reiterated the “weight of evidence-informed expertise” suggested punitive measures were not effective.

The government has argued that while the majority of young people did not reoffend,many of a small group who did were not responding to existing law-enforcement measures.

“These hardcore recidivist offenders are small in number but cause much harm,” Mr Ryan said.

Under the bill,courts would also be able to seek assurances from parents and carers that bail conditions could be adhered to,or young people would be held on remand.

A trial would allow police to carry hand-held metal detectors to check for knives,particularly in the Gold Coast’s nightclub precinct. A review of the changes will take place after 12 months.

The laws come amid a concerted campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14,anda $170 million plan from federal Labor to reduce the number of Indigenous people going to jail.

Speaking from Townsville earlier on Thursday,Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon,tasked with leading a taskforce to oversee the changes,said a considerable amount of work still needed to be done ahead of the changes,but police were prepared.

“I’m looking for a downturn and some very intensive work to be done with those young people,” she said.

With Cloe Read