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The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Second wave 'adult crime, adult time' laws pass
Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences.
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Underclass of Australians': youth crime laws slammed
Australia has come under fire again for breaching its human rights obligations to children amid a national crackdown on youth crime. The United Nations has criticised the Queensland government's latest round of "adult crime, adult time" laws, saying they threaten to create an "underclass of Australians". Queensland plans to bolster its youth crime laws, with 20 more offences to carry lengthy sentences. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. A national crackdown on juvenile offenders came under the spotlight when Queensland's Liberal National government quickly passed "adult crime, adult time" laws after its election win in 2024. They ensured children as young as 10 can serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences such as grievous bodily harm doubled. It came after several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The United Nations criticised the state government for the controversial laws at the time, calling it a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. The LNP government also earned the ire of advocates over the laws because of concerns the state's youth justice system would be overwhelmed. Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction, according to a report by the state's Child Death Review. But the LNP government has rolled out the second tranche of youth crime laws, sparking more outrage. The laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, international human rights experts say. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." Other states and territories have focused on youth crime amid Queensland's crackdown. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. The UN experts said Australia might be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the nation's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. Australia has come under fire again for breaching its human rights obligations to children amid a national crackdown on youth crime. The United Nations has criticised the Queensland government's latest round of "adult crime, adult time" laws, saying they threaten to create an "underclass of Australians". Queensland plans to bolster its youth crime laws, with 20 more offences to carry lengthy sentences. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. A national crackdown on juvenile offenders came under the spotlight when Queensland's Liberal National government quickly passed "adult crime, adult time" laws after its election win in 2024. They ensured children as young as 10 can serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences such as grievous bodily harm doubled. It came after several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The United Nations criticised the state government for the controversial laws at the time, calling it a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. The LNP government also earned the ire of advocates over the laws because of concerns the state's youth justice system would be overwhelmed. Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction, according to a report by the state's Child Death Review. But the LNP government has rolled out the second tranche of youth crime laws, sparking more outrage. The laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, international human rights experts say. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." Other states and territories have focused on youth crime amid Queensland's crackdown. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. The UN experts said Australia might be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the nation's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. Australia has come under fire again for breaching its human rights obligations to children amid a national crackdown on youth crime. The United Nations has criticised the Queensland government's latest round of "adult crime, adult time" laws, saying they threaten to create an "underclass of Australians". Queensland plans to bolster its youth crime laws, with 20 more offences to carry lengthy sentences. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. A national crackdown on juvenile offenders came under the spotlight when Queensland's Liberal National government quickly passed "adult crime, adult time" laws after its election win in 2024. They ensured children as young as 10 can serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences such as grievous bodily harm doubled. It came after several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The United Nations criticised the state government for the controversial laws at the time, calling it a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. The LNP government also earned the ire of advocates over the laws because of concerns the state's youth justice system would be overwhelmed. Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction, according to a report by the state's Child Death Review. But the LNP government has rolled out the second tranche of youth crime laws, sparking more outrage. The laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, international human rights experts say. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." Other states and territories have focused on youth crime amid Queensland's crackdown. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. The UN experts said Australia might be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the nation's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. Australia has come under fire again for breaching its human rights obligations to children amid a national crackdown on youth crime. The United Nations has criticised the Queensland government's latest round of "adult crime, adult time" laws, saying they threaten to create an "underclass of Australians". Queensland plans to bolster its youth crime laws, with 20 more offences to carry lengthy sentences. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. A national crackdown on juvenile offenders came under the spotlight when Queensland's Liberal National government quickly passed "adult crime, adult time" laws after its election win in 2024. They ensured children as young as 10 can serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences such as grievous bodily harm doubled. It came after several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The United Nations criticised the state government for the controversial laws at the time, calling it a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. The LNP government also earned the ire of advocates over the laws because of concerns the state's youth justice system would be overwhelmed. Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction, according to a report by the state's Child Death Review. But the LNP government has rolled out the second tranche of youth crime laws, sparking more outrage. The laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, international human rights experts say. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." Other states and territories have focused on youth crime amid Queensland's crackdown. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. The UN experts said Australia might be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the nation's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states.
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Queensland's youth crime laws slammed by United Nations
Australia has come under fire again for breaching its human rights obligations to children amid a national crackdown on youth crime. The United Nations has criticised the Queensland government's latest round of 'adult crime, adult time' laws, saying they threaten to create an 'underclass of Australians'. Queensland plans to bolster its youth crime laws, with 20 more offences to carry lengthy sentences. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. A national crackdown on juvenile offenders came under the spotlight when Queensland's Liberal National government quickly passed 'adult crime, adult time' laws after its election win in 2024. They ensured children as young as 10 can serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences such as grievous bodily harm doubled. It came after several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following an alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The United Nations criticised the state government for the controversial laws at the time, calling it a 'flagrant disregard' for children's human rights. 'Children are suffering' The LNP government also earned the ire of advocates over the laws because of concerns the state's youth justice system would be overwhelmed. Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction, according to a report by the state's Child Death Review. But the LNP government has rolled out the second tranche of youth crime laws, sparking more outrage. The laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, international human rights experts say. 'Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention,' the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of 'adult crime, adult time'. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. 'The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison,' the experts said. 'We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians.' Around the country Queensland parliament is set to continue debating the amended laws which are expected to pass late on Wednesday. Other states and territories have focused on youth crime after Queensland's crackdown. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. The UN experts said Australia might be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the nation's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states.
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
UN slams 'adult crime, adult time' expansion
International human rights experts have slammed one state, accusing its government of causing undue harm to children as it bolsters controversial youth crime laws. The Queensland government is set to add 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, meaning children will face lengthy sentences for committing a raft of crimes. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. The Liberal National government quickly passed the laws central to its 2024 election win to ensure children as young as 10 serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences like grievous bodily harm doubled. The decision to expand the laws came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The "adult crime, adult time" laws have previously been slammed by youth advocates who say the scheme breaches the human rights of children. But the state government has again earned the ire of international human rights experts who say the laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The UN has previously criticised the Queensland government for its controversial laws. Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton, posted a video before the laws were passed in December, saying they were a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. Now the two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." It is not the only state pursuing tough youth crime laws after Victoria recently passed an amendment to bail laws that included removing the principle of remand as a last resort for children. In NSW, controversial youth bail laws passed in 2024 make it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Bail laws in the Northern Territory were strengthened after a teenager was charged following a 71-year-old Darwin store owner's fatal stabbing. The UN experts said Australia may be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the country's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. International human rights experts have slammed one state, accusing its government of causing undue harm to children as it bolsters controversial youth crime laws. The Queensland government is set to add 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, meaning children will face lengthy sentences for committing a raft of crimes. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. The Liberal National government quickly passed the laws central to its 2024 election win to ensure children as young as 10 serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences like grievous bodily harm doubled. The decision to expand the laws came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The "adult crime, adult time" laws have previously been slammed by youth advocates who say the scheme breaches the human rights of children. But the state government has again earned the ire of international human rights experts who say the laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The UN has previously criticised the Queensland government for its controversial laws. Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton, posted a video before the laws were passed in December, saying they were a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. Now the two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." It is not the only state pursuing tough youth crime laws after Victoria recently passed an amendment to bail laws that included removing the principle of remand as a last resort for children. In NSW, controversial youth bail laws passed in 2024 make it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Bail laws in the Northern Territory were strengthened after a teenager was charged following a 71-year-old Darwin store owner's fatal stabbing. The UN experts said Australia may be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the country's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. International human rights experts have slammed one state, accusing its government of causing undue harm to children as it bolsters controversial youth crime laws. The Queensland government is set to add 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, meaning children will face lengthy sentences for committing a raft of crimes. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. The Liberal National government quickly passed the laws central to its 2024 election win to ensure children as young as 10 serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences like grievous bodily harm doubled. The decision to expand the laws came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The "adult crime, adult time" laws have previously been slammed by youth advocates who say the scheme breaches the human rights of children. But the state government has again earned the ire of international human rights experts who say the laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The UN has previously criticised the Queensland government for its controversial laws. Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton, posted a video before the laws were passed in December, saying they were a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. Now the two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." It is not the only state pursuing tough youth crime laws after Victoria recently passed an amendment to bail laws that included removing the principle of remand as a last resort for children. In NSW, controversial youth bail laws passed in 2024 make it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Bail laws in the Northern Territory were strengthened after a teenager was charged following a 71-year-old Darwin store owner's fatal stabbing. The UN experts said Australia may be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the country's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states. International human rights experts have slammed one state, accusing its government of causing undue harm to children as it bolsters controversial youth crime laws. The Queensland government is set to add 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, meaning children will face lengthy sentences for committing a raft of crimes. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. The Liberal National government quickly passed the laws central to its 2024 election win to ensure children as young as 10 serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences like grievous bodily harm doubled. The decision to expand the laws came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The "adult crime, adult time" laws have previously been slammed by youth advocates who say the scheme breaches the human rights of children. But the state government has again earned the ire of international human rights experts who say the laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The UN has previously criticised the Queensland government for its controversial laws. Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton, posted a video before the laws were passed in December, saying they were a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. Now the two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." It is not the only state pursuing tough youth crime laws after Victoria recently passed an amendment to bail laws that included removing the principle of remand as a last resort for children. In NSW, controversial youth bail laws passed in 2024 make it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Bail laws in the Northern Territory were strengthened after a teenager was charged following a 71-year-old Darwin store owner's fatal stabbing. The UN experts said Australia may be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the country's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UN slams 'adult crime, adult time' expansion
International human rights experts have slammed one state, accusing its government of causing undue harm to children as it bolsters controversial youth crime laws. The Queensland government is set to add 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, meaning children will face lengthy sentences for committing a raft of crimes. New offences include sexual assault and rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, arson and attempted robbery. UN experts are concerned about state & territory youth justice systems in #Australia, where disproportionately large numbers of #indigenous children continue to be jailed: "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison". — UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) May 19, 2025 The Liberal National government quickly passed the laws central to its 2024 election win to ensure children as young as 10 serve a life sentence for murder and manslaughter, while prison time for offences like grievous bodily harm doubled. The decision to expand the laws came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. The "adult crime, adult time" laws have previously been slammed by youth advocates who say the scheme breaches the human rights of children. But the state government has again earned the ire of international human rights experts who say the laws disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. "Children are suffering undue harm to their safety and well-being, as well as to their educational and life prospects as a result of short-sighted approaches to youth criminality and detention," the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. The UN has previously criticised the Queensland government for its controversial laws. Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton, posted a video before the laws were passed in December, saying they were a "flagrant disregard" for children's human rights. Now the two UN human rights experts have written a letter to Australian authorities expressing concerns about the expansion of Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. They said the amended laws would harm the lives of Aboriginal children and urged members of the state parliament to vote against the bill. "The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison," the experts said. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians." Queensland parliament is set to continue debating the amended laws which are expected to pass late on Wednesday. It is not the only state pursuing tough youth crime laws after Victoria recently passed an amendment to bail laws that included removing the principle of remand as a last resort for children. In NSW, controversial youth bail laws passed in 2024 make it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Bail laws in the Northern Territory were strengthened after a teenager was charged following a 71-year-old Darwin store owner's fatal stabbing. The UN experts said Australia may be violating its international obligations to children with Queensland's harsh criminal laws and the country's criminal age of responsibility, which is 10 in the Sunshine State and the Northern Territory and 14 in other states.
