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Making Queensland Safer Laws to restore community safety
The Crisafulli Government has taken the first step to restoring community safety and legislating Adult Crime, Adult Time with the introduction of the landmark Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024 to Parliament today.
The Making Queensland Safer Laws deliver on a key commitment to Queenslanders to restore community safety and turn the tide on the Youth Crime Crisis. Under the laws, juvenile offenders who commit some of the most serious crimes will face the same penalties as adult offenders and the rights of victims will be put ahead of the rights of offenders. Under the proposed laws, the Youth Justice Act 1992 would be amended so young offenders committing particular crimes would be subject to the same penalties as adults.
The tough provisions contained in the Bill complement plans for Gold Standard Early Intervention, crime prevention and effective rehabilitation to ensure fewer Queenslanders fall victim to crime. Adult Crime, Adult Time offences include:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Unlawful striking causing death
- Grievous bodily harm
- Wounding
- Serious assault
- Home and business break-ins and robbery
- Dangerous operation of vehicles
The principle of detention as a last resort would also be removed from the Act to prioritise community safety.
The Making Queensland Safer laws also make changes to how offenders are sentenced.
Courts will be empowered to consider an offender's full criminal history when sentencing, making their criminal history as a juvenile available to the court when they are sentenced as an adult for a five-year period. Consideration of victims will be prioritised during sentencing, raising the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders. The Bill also includes measures to fully open the Childrens Court for victims and the media.
Premier David Crisafulli said restoring community safety would be the first order of business with the Making Queensland Safer Laws.
“The Making Queensland Safer Laws are the first strike back against a youth crime crisis a decade in the making,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“This is Adult Crime, Adult Time, the tough laws with consequences for actions, voted for by Queenslanders.