Adult penalties for youth criminals a step closer

Harsh maximum sentences for serious youth offenders are a step closer to becoming law after a state government delivered a key election promise. "Adult time, adult crime" legislation was introduced to the Queensland parliament on Thursday as the government also scrapped the truth-telling inquiry and created an Olympics venue infrastructure body. Premier David Crisafulli's first act was to introduce the Making Queensland Safer laws to the parliament after toppling Labor's nine-year reign at the October 26 election. "For too long, Queenslanders have had to call on their government to deliver real action on youth crime, and that government did not listen," he told parliament. "This bill delivers on that call, sending a clear message to young offenders that crime will not be tolerated in Queensland and under this government, they will face consequences that are commensurate to the gravity of their actions." It will ensure serious juvenile offenders face harsher sentences if they commit a serious crime including murder, manslaughter, unlawful wounding, aggravated break and enter and stealing a car. Maximum sentences for murder and manslaughter will change from 10 years to a mandatory life sentence. Other penalties are set to double including grievous bodily harm and robbery increasing to 14 years and serious assault and wounding to seven. Stealing a car currently holds a maximum sentence of one to five years but is set to become 10. The Making Queensland Safer laws will remove "detention as a last resort" provisions entirely from the legislation and open the children's court to media and victims' families and friends. The laws include scrapping the capability to wipe a youth offender's record when they turn 18. The government's motion to urgently assess the laws to pass them before Christmas was agreed by the house. Despite supporting the motion, opposition spokesperson Mick de Brenni slammed the government for providing less than a fortnight to scrutinise the bill. "Queenslanders could have seen these laws and given consideration to them," he said. "Instead, the LNP chose to keep them hidden until today." The LNP looked to deliver other election promises by introducing to parliament its plan to repeal path to treaty laws including the truth-telling inquiry, causing an outcry. "This government is committed to delivering real outcomes and positive and practical change for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander people living in Queensland," Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said. He was met with chants of "shame" from the opposition while introducing the bill, with former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Minister Leeanne Enoch booted from the chamber for her interjections. Mr Bleijie tabled the 2032 Olympic Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority which will have 100 days to come up with the best Brisbane Games venue plan. He also introduced a plan to remove the Best Practice Industry Conditions, known as the CFMEU "sweetheart deal", which outlines construction union workers' pay and conditions for all major state projects. Laws to reinstate a productivity commission were also tabled to provide "independent economic, social and regulatory policy advice" to enhance living standards for all Queenslanders.