Hundreds of victims of youth crime protested at Queensland Parliament on Aug. 23 to demand action from the government against the ongoing juvenile crime wave.
So concerned are the state’s citizens that a recent Freshwater Strategy Poll found it was the third-biggest issue to voters after cost of living and housing.
These recent statistics show that youth crime is getting worse, with the number of young people aged 10-17 years under community supervision orders or in detention centres increasing by nearly four percent in the year 2021-22.
The state’s youth detention facilities are so stretched that the state government is attempting to allow police watchhouses to be used to temporarily house youths engaging in criminal activity.
This move requires the Queensland government to suspend the Human Rights Act, a situation that has drawn the ire of the Black Peoples Union.
Two new youth detention centres are expected to be opened in 2026 to deal with the influx of young criminals.
Government and Police Join Forces in Response to the Crisis
The protest coincided with the announcement of the establishment of the Queensland Government’s Taskforce Guardian, a dedicated initiative aimed at combating youth crime.The initiative, which includes a collaboration between the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and youth justice workers, reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the issue, the Palaszczuk government said.
The task force pairs dedicated Queensland Police detectives with expert youth justice workers in a collaboration that facilitates a more comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by youth crime.
Other Initiatives to Combat Youth Crime
The state government has several initiatives in place to help address the issue of youth crime. It recently announced the investment of $56 million in new Police Citizens Youth Club facilities and early intervention initiatives for at-risk youth.The latest round of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, an $80 million initiative aimed at helping unemployed and underemployed into jobs, is focused on helping young people at risk of offending into hospitality, construction and other jobs.
It has also established the Youth Justice Strategy Reference Group.
This is an advisory body comprising key representatives from government, academia, industry bodies, education providers, health and mental health service providers, and community organisations. It aims to provide advice and recommendations to Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer regarding the development of youth justice strategies.
