Queensland Government Defends Tough Youth Crime Laws Amid UN Criticism

A youth advocate looks on prior to a panel on children's rights and the digital environment to mark the annual day of the child, at the 52nd UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, on March 10, 2023. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

A Queensland government spokesperson has responded to criticism from U.N. representatives who say new youth crime laws actually “disregard children’s rights” under international law.

The newly elected LNP government introduced the “Making Queensland Safer” laws as part of its campaign targeting youth crime, which has soared in regional areas like Townsville.

“The Making Queensland Safer Laws were backed overwhelmingly by Queenslanders who demanded a fresh start and an end to Labor’s youth crime crisis,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“‘Adult crime, adult time’ means the youths who choose to commit the most serious crimes will serve the time.”

The spokesperson said the government would also introduce “gold-standard” early intervention and rehabilitation to give young offenders the chance to walk the right path in life.

“This is the change that Queenslanders demanded, and the [David] Crisafulli government is taking immediate action to restore community safety,” they said.

Now-Premier Crisafulli pledged to increase heavier sentences against youth offenders by Christmas this year.

The package of laws removes detention as a last resort for young offenders, and introduces higher maximum sentences for murder, manslaughter, serious assault, wounding, home break-ins, and dangerous operation of vehicles.

Queensland LNP Attorney General Deb Frecklington is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane, Australia, on July 3, 2020. AAP Image/Dan Peled

UN Says Laws Are ‘Outrageous’

Two members of the United Nations (U.N.) Committee of the Rights of the Child (CRC) took aim at the new laws.

CRC Chair Ann Skelton said it would not improve community safety.

“I want to express our dismay at the proposed changes to the law for child offenders that the Making Queensland Safter Bill will bring about,” she said in a pre-recorded video uploaded to social media.

Skelton said it was “extraordinary” that Queensland’s Attorney-General Deb Frecklington admitted several provisions of the bill would violate international law.

Frecklington has stood by the changes saying the state is dealing with exceptional circumstances.

Yet Skelton said the group did not agree that “so-called ‘exceptional circumstances’” warranted a “flagrant disregard for children’s rights under international law.”

“We urge the Government of Queensland to stand firm with the principle that children should be treated differently from adults in the criminal justice system.”

Skelton also said the detention for child offenders should be a last resort, and any incarceration should be “for the shortest appropriate period of time.”

Academic and fellow member of the U.N.’s CRC, Philip D. Jaffe, uploaded his own video, telling Australia to “come to its senses” over what he said was an “atrocious” bill.

Jaffe said the laws were “outrageous and discriminatory.”

“I do hope that Australian society will come to its senses,” he said.

Attorney-General’s Statement on Human Rights

When presenting the Making Queensland Safer laws to Parliament, Attorney General Frecklington acknowledged the bill was “incompatible with human rights.”

“However, I consider that the current situation with respect to youth crime in Queensland is exceptional.”

Frecklington said that in the short term, the laws would increase custodial sentences and put additional strain on detention centres.

Child offenders may also spend additional time in watch houses.

“This impact results in limitations to the protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment,” Frecklington said.

“The amendments will treat children less favourably than adults in the same circumstances and therefore directly discriminate on the basis of age, limiting their right to enjoy their right to liberty without discrimination,” her statement said.

Regional City Says Crime Spree Eating Away at Business

While segments of the media, youth groups, and academics have criticised the changes, there is strong support from the “ground zero of the youth crime crisis.”

“Crime has become a significant and ongoing challenge for local businesses,” Townsville Chamber of Commerce CEO Heidi Turner told a state parliamentary hearing on Dec. 3.

A vehicle allegedly stolen and driven into a tree along Centenial Street, Underwood in Brisbane, Australia taken on Dec. 15, 2022. Courtesy of an Underwood resident

“There is no doubt crime has directly contributed to business closures in our region.”

Turner said businesses were burdened with the cost of improving security and repair work, while keeping employees was also difficult.

“Just this week, a local business was ram-raided twice. As they were beginning to recover from the first attack, it happened again,” Turner said.

“In some areas of Townsville, anti-social behaviour has made it almost impossible to lease commercial properties.”

AAP contributed to this article.