Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024

Strongly supported the bill as delivering on the LNP's election commitment to introduce consequences for youth offenders, arguing Labor's 2015 weakening of youth justice laws created a generation of repeat offenders.

“This legislation is also about putting victims before offenders.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Spoke as a victim of youth crime whose family members were killed by a repeat youth offender, arguing the bill delivers justice for victims and restores consequences for serious youth offending.

“These laws will send a crystal clear message to young criminals committing adult crime: you will serve adult time.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As Attorney-General, moved the second reading of the bill and strongly defended it as landmark legislation delivering on the government's election commitment to address the youth crime crisis through the Adult Crime, Adult Time policy, prioritising victims' rights, and removing detention as a last resort.

“The Crisafulli government says enough is enough. Victims will come first. We must not put up with a system that puts the rights of youth offenders before the rights of victims.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Acknowledged the need for action on youth crime and stated Labor would not stand in the way of Adult Crime, Adult Time, but raised concerns about the rushed process, lack of police consultation, and the removal of restorative justice. Used the example of Johnathan Thurston's youth redemption to argue for rehabilitation.

“Logan people know that longer sentences mean that these youth offenders will be prevented from causing fear and crime at least while they are serving their sentences. They know though that this is no substitute for preventing crime in the first place.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Shared stories of constituents who were victims of home invasions by youth offenders and argued the bill restores consequences for actions while also providing pathways for early intervention.

“I throw my full support behind the Crisafulli government's Making Queensland Safer Laws because Queenslanders deserve to be safe in their homes and in their community.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As shadow Attorney-General, stated Labor would not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences but moved a reasoned amendment to split the bill, arguing it went beyond the election mandate and had significant unintended consequences for victims including potential cross-examination and removal of restorative justice options.

“While the Labor opposition will not stand in the way of the LNP government's ability to implement the policy that we and stakeholders understand they took to the election, we also have an obligation on behalf of the many stakeholders who did and did not have the ability to submit to the committee process and to scrutinise the laws.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, citing a 341 per cent increase in youth vehicle offences in the Logan-Gold Coast region and detailing the bill's key provisions including Adult Crime, Adult Time and the removal of detention as a last resort.

“The Crisafulli government is putting the rights of victims ahead of offenders' rights and making it crystal clear to youth offenders that if they commit an adult crime they will serve serious adult time.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Argued the bill ignores overwhelming evidence that punitive approaches to youth crime are ineffective, will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and will exacerbate reoffending rather than reduce it.

“This approach tears up well-established sentencing principles designed specifically for children. Research consistently shows that treating children punitively rather than focusing on rehabilitation results in higher reoffending rates.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Spoke in support of the reasoned amendment, stating Labor would not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences but arguing the bill goes further than the election mandate and risks unintended consequences for victims, calling for a review mechanism and transparency on victim numbers.

“We respect the will of Queenslanders and note that certain parts of the bill reflect that outcome. We support Queenslanders, including victims of crime. However, the question that the LNP cannot answer is: will the laws before the House in totality in this bill keep Queenslanders safe?”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Stated Labor will not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences but raised serious concerns about the bill going further than what was taken to the election, the rushed process, lack of evidence-based scrutiny, and potential unintended consequences for victims. Drew parallels with the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre.

“Labor will not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences for youth offenders but the bill, as outlined by many stakeholders, goes further than what the LNP took to the election.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a key election commitment, arguing it addresses a decade of Labor's failures on youth crime and that the election result constituted a clear mandate from the people of Queensland.

“The aim of this landmark bill is to restore community safety in Queensland and turn the tide on the youth crime crisis.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As former youth justice minister, supported the reasoned amendment and criticised the rushed process. While accepting the election outcome and not opposing increased maximum sentences, raised extensive concerns about unintended consequences including victims being cross-examined, reduced guilty pleas, insufficient detention capacity modelling, and lack of evidence the laws would reduce crime.

“If expert after expert after expert after expert says that they are concerned about the impact on victims, then I would like to know what is the problem with going into February. We are not asking for a year; we are saying, as every single expert has asked, to please give us more time.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing stories of a terrifying home invasion experienced by constituents Heidi and Clint Luck on Bribie Island, and arguing that consequences for youth crime are urgently needed.

“If you murder someone, that is an adult crime; that deserves adult time. If you wound someone: adult crime, adult time. If you violate the sanctity of someone's home and you break in and rob them: adult crime, adult time.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued it does not go far enough, noting KAP had advocated for adult crime, adult time and removing detention as a last resort years before the LNP adopted these policies. Called for additional measures including relocation sentencing.

“Queenslanders expect the LNP government to get this right, and I do not believe this legislation goes far enough, even though we will support it this round.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Opposed the bill entirely as a Greens member and member of the committee that examined it. Argued the bill was based on a confected youth crime crisis unsupported by statistics, would violate children's human rights, create worse outcomes than for adults, disproportionately impact First Nations children, and was contrary to all credible expert evidence on youth offending.

“Adult Crime, Adult Time is not a policy; it is a slogan. When you translate a slogan into legislation, or even a policy, it has to have some substance to it. No-one knew what they were proposing when we went to the election.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Stated the opposition would not stand in the way of the government's Adult Crime, Adult Time policy but raised significant concerns about the truncated committee process, police not being given evidence, unintended consequences on watch house capacity, and laws commencing on assent without police training.

“We are all on the same page when it comes to community safety. No-one wants to see someone impacted by crime. It is terrible. It is a tragedy. Everyone wants to see less crime, they want to see fewer victims and they want to see safer communities.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing the LNP's Adult Crime, Adult Time slogan put them in government and that a decade of Labor's soft-on-crime approach created the youth crime crisis.

“The people of Mermaid Beach absolutely appreciate this law going through and support it 100 per cent.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support, strongly defended the bill and condemned the opposition's reasoned amendment. Named individual victims of crime the bill was designed to protect, argued the government had a clear election mandate, and rebutted concerns about victims being cross-examined and restorative justice being removed.

“After a decade of the former Labor government, which weakened our youth justice laws and eroded the rights of victims, our proposed strong laws in this bill have never been more vital.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, citing over 8,000 offences in the Redlands community over the past 12 months and sharing the stories of local business owners Mark and Michael who were victims of break-ins.

“This legislation sends a clear and firm message: crime will not be tolerated and victims will be prioritised.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

As a former police officer with extensive experience in youth justice, supported the bill as a comprehensive package that targets the worst repeat offenders while investing in gold standard early intervention programs.

“These changes that we are making under the Making Queensland Safer Laws are important.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Spoke against the opposition's reasoned amendment, arguing the key principles in the bill—removing detention as a last resort, prioritising victim impact in sentencing, and making criminal history available to courts—were clearly communicated during the election campaign and had an overwhelming mandate.

“What the public cannot tolerate anymore—the public has had enough of it—is children who offend and reoffend and then once they turn 18 it is like nothing has ever happened. People cannot accept that.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a former police officer of 28 years, detailing dramatic increases in crime statistics in Townsville including a 199 per cent increase in stolen cars and a 287 per cent increase in robbery offences.

“I challenge those experts to get out of their air-conditioned offices and go and speak to each and every one of those 289,657 victims in Queensland. I will back the word of the victims every single day.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

As a lawyer with over 30 years experience in the criminal justice system, argued the bill is not evidence based, goes too far in overriding human rights, and will not achieve its stated purpose of making Queensland safer.

“The German word verschlimmbesserung sums up what this legislation will do. The meaning of that word is an intended improvement that makes things worse.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Characterised the opposition's amendment as an attempt to divert, obfuscate and stall, arguing the government had a clear mandate to pass these laws before Christmas and that Labor had never been committed to community safety. Moved the gag motion to end debate on the amendment.

“The government was given a clear mandate at the last state election to ensure these laws were passed and passed by Christmas with the purpose of restoring community safety in communities throughout Queensland.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as a good start, noting KAP had been identifying the youth crime crisis since at least 2017. Argued the 'kiss-and-cuddle' approach has failed and advocated for remote relocation sentencing as an additional measure.

“While this legislation does not go nearly far enough to address it, it is a good start. The position that the KAP has taken is that this is a good start. We welcome it in that respect.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Spoke about the murder of Jack Beasley in Surfers Paradise and argued the bill delivers the tougher penalties and victim-focused reforms that the community has demanded.

“The Making Queensland Safer Bill is more than just a response to the youth crime crisis; it addresses Labor's failures of the past, tackles the challenges of the present and plans for the future.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As committee chair and former police officer, strongly supported the bill, drawing on his 20 years of policing experience to argue the youth justice system was broken under Labor. Emphasised that the laws apply to the most serious offences and do not change police discretion for cautions or restorative justice at the front end.

“These strong laws remove detention as a last resort, providing judges with more options to deal with young offenders. This law has been a handbrake on our judiciary considering appropriate sentences for the most serious offences by the most serious offenders.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, criticising Labor's indecision and arguing for consequences for actions. Cited the killing of Robert Brown in Toowoomba's main street by a youth offender.

“Should we be putting bars on our windows so we are safe in our homes or should we be putting behind bars the people who are entering our homes, taking our car keys, attacking us with tomahawks and killing people in the main street?”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Argued the bill is the culmination of 10 years of LNP work following Labor's decision to water down effective youth crime laws, and praised the combination of tough enforcement with gold standard early intervention.

“That lottery starts ending with the passage of these laws.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Acknowledged the government's mandate on its Adult Crime, Adult Time policy but argued the bill substantially goes beyond what was canvassed during the election. Raised concerns about lack of investment in police, courts and detention capacity, the rushed committee process, and accused the government of planning to change how victim numbers are counted.

“The LNP bill is not accompanied by a single dollar for our police, youth justice workers, corrections workers and the courts. There is no investment in detention capacity.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it was intentionally rushed, contains dangerous unintended consequences identified by stakeholders, goes beyond what Queenslanders voted for, and is bad policy that will result in perverse outcomes including fewer victim protections.

“There is no mandate for this bill. I accept that there is community support for a four-word slogan—Adult Crime, Adult Time—but this bill goes further. It overreaches.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Acknowledged the election mandate and said she would not oppose the bill's core elements, but raised serious concerns that removing detention as a last resort for all offences creates perverse outcomes where children are treated more harshly than adults, and that removing restorative justice options takes choice away from victims.

“How do we reconcile as a community that we do not believe children have the moral culpability of maturity to be left at home alone, drink alcohol, smoke, have a credit card, drive and now use social media until a certain age because they arguably are not mature enough to understand and manage the consequences but that they will now be held not only to an adult standard but rather above it in some circumstances in respect of offending?”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As Minister for Police and former police officer, delivered an extensive critique of Labor's decade of youth justice failures and strongly supported the bill as fulfilling the government's commitment to victims and community safety. Catalogued Labor's legislative changes since 2015 as the root cause of the youth crime crisis.

“This House would not be debating this legislation today if Labor had not failed in its obligation to the people of Queensland from the very first day it assumed office.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, citing the case of a 15-year-old whose actions killed three people in the Fraser Coast region and who received only six years under current laws.

“If those opposite fail to support this bill in its entirety then they are still living in a fantasy world and will be judged accordingly.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

As the member for Townsville, shared harrowing stories of crime victims in his electorate and argued the bill delivers the tough laws Queenslanders voted for to address the youth crime crisis that has plagued his community.

“I am proud to support this bill. It represents the tough on crime approach that Queenslanders have been pleading for.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Acknowledged community safety concerns and accepted the LNP had a mandate for the Adult Crime, Adult Time sentencing regime, but argued the bill makes wide-reaching changes not canvassed during the election. Cited victims' groups including the Homicide Victims' Support Group and Victims' Commissioner who sought more time for consultation.

“The adage of 'we know what's good for you' is simply disrespectful and arrogant and goes against the very things this government espoused when they were in opposition.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Acknowledged victims including the family of Vyleen White present in the chamber, stated Labor supports strong action and tough laws but called for responsible amendments to address unintended consequences raised by stakeholders including the Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group.

“This is not a binary proposition; it is complex and the solutions are complex.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary to restore deterrence and recalibrate the justice system to prioritise victims' rights, citing the devastating impact of youth crime on small businesses and the community of Hervey Bay.

“Our Making Queensland Safer Bill will recalibrate the scales of Lady Justice to ensure that the rights of victims are actively considered in sentencing.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As member representing a community at the epicentre of the youth crime crisis and a committee member, strongly supported the bill. Spoke of her community's decade-long fight to be heard and pride in being part of a government putting victims' rights before offenders.

“Crime: yes, finally you have a member for Thuringowa who is not afraid to talk about crime.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing personal experience of his garage being broken into by eight young people and praising early intervention programs like Men of Business in Southport.

“We are the LNP: a party that believes in consequences for actions; a party that believes in the principle of personal responsibility.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Said Labor would not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences but argued the bill is flawed and rushed, citing numerous experts and stakeholders who warned of unintended consequences including the potential for victims to be cross-examined in court.

“I sincerely believe the laws before the House will actually not meet the LNP promise of keeping Queenslanders safe. I do believe there are elements of the bill that will undermine protection for victims.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As a victim of violent crime with 25 years experience listening to victims, opposed the bill arguing it would ultimately lead to a more violent state and set Queensland apart as one of the greatest violators of human rights. Argued prisons are criminogenic and do not deter offending, and that the bill removes options for victims including restorative justice.

“If this bill was offering a credible solution towards improving community safety, I would have no problem at all standing here and supporting it today, but the reality is that this bill, despite its slogan headline, will ultimately lead to a very violent state here in Queensland.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing Far North Queensland has been devastated by youth crime with 78 serious repeat offenders committing at least 6,829 crimes in the past 12 months.

“The fact is: when these repeat youth offenders are in detention, crime in our region drops. When they are released, crime increases again. What more evidence do we need?”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Spoke of his frustration over years in opposition watching the youth crime crisis devastate his community of Toowoomba, and expressed satisfaction that the Crisafulli government is finally addressing community safety concerns through this comprehensive bill.

“Tonight, as I rise to speak to this bill, it is satisfying to know that the Crisafulli government is finally taking steps, calmly and methodically, to address some of the community safety concerns that have ravaged so many communities across Queensland.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on the government's election promise, cited examples of youth crime in her electorate, and emphasised that the bill is complemented by significant investment in early intervention and rehabilitation programs including Staying on Track, Regional Reset and Circuit Breaker Sentencing.

“These laws are tough. We put them to the people of Queensland at the last election and Queenslanders have backed them in; they have entrusted us to deliver on them.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Acknowledged victims of crime and stated Labor will always stand with them, but criticised the rushed process and the Premier's decision to keep the drafted legislation secret during the election campaign. Raised concerns about unintended consequences including the removal of restorative justice and the potential for victims to face increased court involvement.

“Our responsibility as legislators is to shape the laws that will shape the future. Good law is born from good process. The parliamentary process supporting this bill leaves an enormous amount to be desired.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Shared stories from Rockhampton residents and business owners devastated by repeat youth offending and supported the bill as restoring hope that the government will follow through on setting boundaries and consequences.

“This bill will restore hope to my community—hope that the government of the day are willing to listen and to follow through on setting boundaries and establishing consequences for actions that reflect the community's expectations.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring consequences for actions, arguing the debate comes down to whether you prioritise victims and community safety or the rights of youth criminals. Cited the 98 per cent increase in youth offences over 10 years and argued the former LNP government's 2012-2015 laws had been working before Labor reversed them.

“At the heart of this bill, not just in Adult Crime, Adult Time but in so many other ways, it is about restoring consequences for actions when it comes to youth offenders.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing her personal experience of finding a 17-year-old intruder standing inside her home while her children slept upstairs, and detailing multiple crime stories from Caloundra constituents.

“No-one has the right to take that away.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported some elements including full offender history consideration and victim-focused sentencing principles, but expressed concern that there is no evidence longer detention reduces recidivism, and criticised the rush which bypassed proper scrutiny and the recommendations from the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee inquiry.

“Statistics show that detention increases criminality and recidivism, with around 90 per cent of youths reoffending within a year after incarceration.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill on behalf of his regional constituents who have experienced escalating youth crime including home invasions and car theft. Argued that a decade of soft-on-crime policies created perpetrators who cannot be rehabilitated and that community safety must take priority.

“If you are a tradie and you lose your ute and all of your tools and equipment because the ute is burnt or pushed into the Macintyre River, that has a massive impact on you.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

As Leader of the Opposition, stated Labor would not stand in the way of Adult Crime, Adult Time but raised serious concerns about the 52 pages of changes going beyond what was promised, the rushed process, and unintended consequences for victims including increased cross-examination and court delays.

“Queenslanders voted for the LNP's Adult Crime, Adult Time policy. They supported increased maximum sentences for young people who commit a range of serious offences. Those four words, though, have been expanded into 52 pages of significant changes.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a transformative moment for the state, highlighting the youth crime statistics in her Gold Coast electorate and the government's investment in early intervention programs alongside tougher penalties.

“To those who oppose these changes I ask, 'How many more victims must we see? How many more families must endure heartache?'”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Accepted the election outcome and that more needs to be done on community safety, but argued the rushed process has led to unintended consequences including victims potentially being cross-examined, a system harsher on children than adults, and capacity issues in watch houses and detention centres. Called for the government to release its modelling.

“The Queensland Law Society—that is, the criminal lawyers in Queensland—said it will lead to comparisons being made between victims, may compromise victim agency and result in them being cross-examined.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as a former police officer, sharing the story of Erika, an elderly woman in her late 80s who was broken into four times, and the theft of Christmas presents from another family.

“The laws that the LNP are proposing will protect people like Erika, Cassandra and Matthew because there will be consequences for actions.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as fulfilling the LNP's mandate to restore community safety, contrasting the government's decisive approach with Labor's decade of complacency on youth crime.

“This bill is more than legislation; it represents a critical step in fulfilling the promise that a Liberal National Party made to the people of Queensland to restore safety to our communities and uphold the rights of victims over the rights of offenders.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as reflecting the government's commitment to restoring safety, cited youth crime statistics on the Gold Coast, and highlighted the government's complementary investments in early intervention and rehabilitation programs including Staying on Track, Regional Reset, and Circuit Breaker Sentencing.

“Youth crime is not just about statistics; it is about people. It is about the small business owner who is repeatedly targeted. It is about the family whose sense of security has been shattered by a home invasion.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as a first step in restoring community confidence, citing thousands of assault, motor vehicle and unlawful entry charges against juveniles in the Northern police region.

“The defining moment for me in this whole sorry campaign was that image in Townsville of police vehicles being driven under code 2 authority—lights and sirens—being chased by stolen vehicles.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Acknowledged the mandate for increased maximum sentences but expressed deep concern about removing the principle of detention as a last resort, using two contrasting examples of 13-year-olds to illustrate the complexity of the issue and the need for nuance in the legislation.

“No way in the world should that first 13-year-old be denied the consideration of detention as a last resort. In no way should a non-custodial order be a better option than detention.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Supported the bill by sharing harrowing constituent stories of youth crime including home invasions and carjackings, and argued the removal of consequences a decade ago created a dangerous cohort of untouchable offenders. Acknowledged the bill is not simply punitive but includes wraparound services for rehabilitation.

“The first duty of a government is to set the conditions for a safe community. It is the foundation on which everything else rests.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Expressed concern about the negative impacts of the bill including children losing chances for rehabilitation, privacy breaches during court processes, and the lack of consideration for family and environmental factors in youth crime. Called for stronger intervention measures alongside the legislation.

“No child is born bad. I do not believe any parent sets out to do a bad job, either.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Spoke about the palpable fear in his electorate caused by the youth crime crisis, sharing stories of tradespeople, elderly residents and the community's overwhelming desire for the bill to pass.

“I have never before felt the level of palpable fear in the electorate that I am proud to serve that I have felt in the last three or four years. People are scared to death.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Stated Labor supports strong action and laws that protect Queenslanders and would not stand in the way of the bill, but raised extensive concerns about unintended consequences not canvassed during the election including removal of restorative justice for children but not adults, potential cross-examination of victims, and the rushed committee process that excluded police testimony.

“I hope that when these laws are passed—and they will be because the government has the numbers; there is no doubt about it—they will see a change. I also hope that no-one in our families, none of my loved ones and no-one's children whom I know gets caught in these laws.”— 2024-12-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing Queenslanders voted for change on 26 October because they are sick of crime and that consequences for actions are needed.

“Today we will draw a line in the sand to say 'enough is enough'.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Argued the youth crime crisis was exacerbated by failures in child safety and domestic violence prevention under the former Labor government, and expressed pride in being part of a government delivering comprehensive youth justice reform.

“We stand by accountability. We stand by Queenslanders who put their faith in an LNP government. We will do what we say we are going to do.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Acknowledged the LNP's mandate but criticised the rushed process, the government's refusal to allow police or the Victims' Commissioner to present to the committee, and the late introduction of 25 pages of amendments. Argued it was a repeat of the Newman government's arrogance.

“When we are talking about safety, that is the question: will this make Queenslanders safer? We will see. Time will tell and time has an integrity.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Said the Labor caucus supports strong action and tough laws but would not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences, while raising concerns about rushed consultation, human rights incompatibility, and disproportionate impacts on First Nations people.

“The Labor caucus will not stand in the way of increased maximum sentences for youth offenders; however, Queenslanders did not vote for matters that will put Queenslanders in harm's way through those unintended consequences.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Spoke briefly in support before being cut off by time, noting that no other member had mentioned Indigenous communities impacted by youth crime and citing messages of support from Indigenous leaders.

“Over the last three days nobody in this debate has made any mention of any Indigenous community in Queensland that might be impacted by youth crime.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Shared the story of a family in Marian whose home was repeatedly targeted by the same youth offenders who were released and reoffended within days, arguing the bill delivers on the government's promise to hold offenders accountable.

“This bill is not just about penalties and sentencing; it is about restoring safety, trust and dignity to the people of Queensland.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

As Attorney-General, delivered the reply to the second reading debate, defending the bill's process and provisions, rebutting concerns about victim cross-examination, and emphasising the government's commitment to putting victims first.

“Today we say victims are put first. Today we say Queenslanders are put first. Today the Premier delivers on the commitment that he took to the people of Queensland.”— 2024-12-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of a comprehensive policy that targets a small cohort of hardcore recidivist offenders while providing early intervention for others, arguing that the Adult Crime, Adult Time policy is an important part of the broader package.

“If a 16-year-old commits murder and they get 20 years and they get out when they are 36, I think they have still done pretty well.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Acknowledged the LNP's mandate for Adult Crime, Adult Time but said he personally struggled with it, arguing the bill goes beyond that mandate with changes that could have significant unintended consequences and should have been given more time for proper scrutiny.

“Our party position is to recognise that the LNP have a mandate for their Adult Crime, Adult Time slogan, but I personally struggle with that.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Shared stories of businesses, police and families in Keppel who have been devastated by youth crime, and argued the bill delivers on the government's promise to make Queenslanders feel safe in their homes.

“To feel safe in our home is a right that all Queenslanders should expect, yet the experience of so many in the communities of Keppel has been that their home no longer feels impenetrable, no longer feels safe, and that is not good enough.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Said Labor does not intend to stand in the way of the Adult Crime, Adult Time mandate but expressed deep concern that the bill makes substantial changes extending far beyond that slogan, with potential unintended negative consequences that need further scrutiny.

“The LNP government has a mandate for this legislation and we do not intend as a Labor caucus to stand in their way.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Argued safety is the primary obligation of government and highlighted the impact of youth crime on tourism and the economy in his electorate, pledging support alongside commitments for additional police resources.

“I give my full support to these laws. I give my full support to a government that will deliver extra police to enforce those laws. Actions must have consequences.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard

Congratulated the LNP for acting swiftly on youth crime and adopting KAP policies on adult crime, adult time and removing detention as a last resort, but argued the bill does not go far enough and called for additional measures including relocation sentencing, castle law and minimum mandatory sentencing.

“We fully support what the LNP government is doing. Well done. While we commend them for that, three areas need to be added: relocation sentencing, castle law and minimum sentencing.”— 2024-12-11View Hansard