An inquiry into Qld’s youth justice crackdown has heard a range of views – from victims to social workers – with the government urged to “do more” in summer.
On Monday evening seven detainees climbed fences and roofs and began throwing rocks and other debris at staff.
The plans are “troubling on a number of fronts” and will erode basic human rights without improving community safety,says the national children’s commissioner.
Many of the young offenders being targeted in Labor’s latest crackdown,which will set aside human rights considerations,are under child protection orders.
The youth justice minister has also conceded that the government’s decision to adopt a widely criticised LNP policy was not based on evidence.
Long-term rates of youth crime are actually declining,but not the rhetoric. Experts worry the problems and solutions are now being politicised.
The state has cited only “some evidence” of an increase in the number of serious repeat offenders to justify the changes,prompting swift criticism from the rights watchdog.
As parliament resumed for 2023,A-G Shannon Fentiman – a key figure of Labor’s Left – made a point of saying the laws were introduced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The government will reinstate a Newman-era policy amid mounting political pressure in a move experts and advocates warn will only make matters worse.
The deputy premier did not regret his criticisms of the judiciary,and he would not be taking them back.
Premier Daniel Andrews committed to start work within weeks to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10,but the former chair of the Sentencing Advisory Council says there is much more to be done.