WITH the support of the Redlands’ newly elected LNP team, the State Government has taken the first step to fulfilling its election promise and legislating Adult Crime, Adult Time, with the introduction of the Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024 to Parliament last week.
The Making Queensland Safer Laws deliver on a key election commitment from the LNP government to restore community safety and turn the tide on youth crime across the Redlands.
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, while the principle of detention as a last resort would be removed from the Act.
The Making Queensland Safer laws also make changes to how offenders are sentenced, empowering courts 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 Children’s Court for victims and the media.
State Member for Capalaba Russell Field said the Bill would put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of those who perpetrate crime.
“This Bill will elevate the importance of considering the experiences and rights of victims of crime in the sentencing process,” he said.
Mr Field, whose son Matthew and his pregnant fiancée Kate were killed when struck by a juvenile in a stolen car in 2021, said the rights of offenders had previously been the priority.
“I know how much that hurts people who are grieving the effects of crime on their loved ones,” he said.
“It’s time for that to change.”
State Member for Redlands Rebecca Young said she was proud to be part of a government that was prioritising the safety of residents of the Redlands.
“Too many people in our community have been living in fear because of the youth crime crisis,” she said.
“I’m determined to ensure that locals can be safe in our community by ensuring there are consequences for actions for those who do the wrong thing.”
State Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker said the Bill was a step forward for transparency and accountability.
“By delivering the Making Queensland Safer laws, serious young offenders will be held accountable for their actions,” she said.
“We are determined to equip our courts with the tools they need to deliver consequences for actions.”
