Battlelines loom over push for tough youth justice laws
A bid to fast track youth justice laws may not go smoothly for the Liberal National government despite the party hitting the ground running since winning power.
A new chapter in state parliament is about to officially begin, with the Liberal National government pushing through tough youth justice laws.
But the first parliamentary sitting under the newly elected LNP in Queensland may not go smoothly after Labor questioned the controversial legislation.
The LNP has hit the ground running since winning the October 26 election and ending Laborâs nine-year reign, launching a 100-day plan.
The LNP looked set to show no signs of slowing down in Queensland parliament with âadult crime, adult timeâ laws to be fast tracked, delayed only by formalities.
New MPs will be sworn in on Tuesday, with a speaker elected and presented to Queensland Governor Jeannette Young.
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The governor will officially open Queenslandâs 58th parliament on Wednesday, marked by a traditional 19-gun salute.
The LNP also looked set to come out all guns blazing when parliament sits on Thursday with the youth justice laws to be introduced.
LNPâs David Crisafulli campaigned hard on harsher sentences for juveniles who commit serious crimes before toppling Laborâs Steven Miles and becoming Queenslandâs 41st premier.
But the LNP may not have it all its own way when parliament sits on Thursday after Mr Miles would not say whether Labor would support the youth justice law changes.
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The opposition leader asked for the LNP to release the laws as soon as possible for transparency, with the legislation to receive a week of scrutiny.
Queensland bills are usually scrutinised by a parliamentary committee for six weeks.
âIâve certainly indicated that we accept that the increased sentences for certain offences for youth offenders was taken to the election,â Miles said on Monday.
âBut weâre yet to see what that looks like in practice, and what else is in these laws.â
The proposed laws will remove detention as a last resort from the Youth Justice Act.
It would also allow judges to impose adult sentences for juveniles that commit serious adult crimes including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
âWhen we see them, weâll be able to determine what kind of scrutiny is necessary,â Miles said.
Crisafulli is the LNPâs first Queensland premier since Campbell Newmanâs 2012-2015 stint, with the party claiming 52 seats to Laborâs 36.
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