Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill toughens Queensland's response to youth crime by increasing penalties for motor vehicle theft (up to 14 years for aggravated offences), strengthening bail conditions for young offenders, and creating a new 'serious repeat offender' declaration that prioritises community safety in sentencing. It also establishes multi-agency collaborative panels to coordinate support services for at-risk children.
Who it affects
Young offenders face stricter bail rules, higher penalties, and the possibility of being declared a serious repeat offender. Communities affected by motor vehicle crime see the law take a harder stance on car theft and social media glorification of offending.
Key changes
- Maximum penalty for motor vehicle theft increased from 7 to 10 years, with aggravated offences carrying up to 14 years for violence, night-time offending, or property damage
- Posting car theft on social media becomes an aggravated offence with a maximum of 12 years imprisonment
- Children can now be charged with breaching bail conditions, and electronic monitoring on bail is extended to include 15-year-olds
- Courts can declare a child a 'serious repeat offender', requiring community protection to be the primary sentencing consideration for 12 months
- Multi-agency collaborative panels established in law to coordinate government services for high-risk young offenders
- Detainees who turn 18 can be transferred from youth detention to adult prisons sooner, with safeguards including lawyer consultation and Childrens Court review
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee21 Feb 2023View Hansard
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
The Economics and Governance Committee examined the Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023 over three weeks, holding public hearings in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville and receiving submissions from individuals and organisations. The committee recommended the bill be passed, acknowledging that some provisions are incompatible with the Human Rights Act 2019 but finding this justified due to the need for an urgent response to community safety concerns. Submitter views were mixed, with some supporting tougher consequences for serious repeat youth offenders and others raising concerns about the impact on children's human rights and the disproportionate effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Key findings (5)
- The committee accepted that some provisions in the bill are incompatible with the Human Rights Act 2019, but found the override justified due to an acute community safety problem caused by a small cohort of serious repeat youth offenders.
- Submitter views were divided, with some arguing the bill did not go far enough as a deterrent and others warning it could increase the number of young people in detention and lead to more adult offenders.
- The committee noted concerns about the disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, who are already over-represented in the youth justice system.
- The committee was satisfied that increases in maximum penalties for unlawful use of motor vehicles reflected the seriousness and danger of this type of offending.
- The committee supported multi-agency collaborative panels as an effective mechanism for coordinated assessment and response to serious repeat offenders.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends the Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023 be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading14 Mar 2023View Hansard
That the bill be now read a second time
Party VoteVote on whether the Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023 should advance past second reading. The Greens opposed; all other parties supported.
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
▸46 members spoke41 support1 oppose4 mixed
Introduced and supported the bill as necessary to strengthen community safety, particularly addressing youth crime and repeat offenders.
“The Palaszczuk government has a strong track record of introducing evidence-based reforms to tackle the complex issue of youth crime.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting its breach of bail provisions, strengthened conditional release orders, and early intervention programs to address youth crime.
“We need to make sure that these young people are looked after. We also need to make sure that our community feels safe.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
As minister, introduced and defended the bill as necessary to ensure serious repeat youth offenders are held accountable, highlighting the breach of bail offence, serious repeat offender declaration scheme, and increased penalties for motor vehicle theft.
“This bill upholds the human rights of law-abiding Queenslanders. They have asked for additional action and the government is responding decisively to address the often violent, frightening and dangerous offending being undertaken by a handful of serious repeat offenders.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the government for being too slow to act on youth crime and for adopting LNP policy positions belatedly.
“We will support the bill because we have been calling for these measures for years.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the government for copying the LNP's breach of bail policy after years of opposition, arguing the bill's promised 14-year sentences cannot override the Youth Justice Act's limitations.
“The community has had enough. They tell me that under Labor, thugs who commit crime are let off and the police cannot do anything about it.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised it as falling well short of what is needed, arguing the government has dragged its feet on youth justice for years and the bill does not deliver what the Premier promised.
“Whilst those opposite might have us believe that this bill will address juvenile crime in this state, we now know that it falls well short of the mark.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as a balanced approach to community safety that includes both consequences for offenders and early intervention programs.
“This bill strikes the right balance between holding young offenders accountable and giving them the support they need to turn their lives around.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while emphasising the complex backgrounds of young offenders, drawing on his teaching experience with youth justice participants and advocating for early intervention.
“This is not a bill that anyone should relish; it is a bill that is necessary. It is a bill that the community has asked for.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued Labor's heart is not in the changes, criticising the government for misleading Queenslanders about the 14-year penalty given Youth Justice Act sentencing caps, and calling for unshackling the judiciary.
“This legislation does not deliver what the Premier promised. It almost certainly will not improve community safety. While the government has finally begrudgingly adopted breach of bail as an offence, I suspect it is not because it wants to but because the force of public opinion was simply overwhelming.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Acknowledged the bill was a step in the right direction but argued it did not go far enough, calling for stronger penalties and consequences.
“While I welcome any steps to address the crime crisis gripping our communities, this bill simply does not go far enough.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued the Premier's 10-point plan has failed because the promised maximum sentences cannot apply to juveniles, and called for removal of detention as a last resort.
“We are here in this House because seven years ago this government changed the laws, and those juveniles who were 12 at the time have grown up in the system and they are now over 17 years old.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
As committee chair, endorsed the bill as an important part of reducing youth crime, noting the committee unanimously recommended the bill be passed while recognising the need for wider measures including early intervention.
“I also think it is important that there are consequences for serious breaches of the standards we set in our community where others have been hurt or suffered fear and loss.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted community safety concerns in her electorate, praising the government's comprehensive approach.
“This bill sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for serious offending.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while highlighting community-driven youth diversionary programs in her electorate, including REKON Youth and YMCA Springfield Central Community Centre.
“I do not believe that anyone from our side of the chamber wants to see young people incarcerated. It is why we are doing everything we can to intervene early.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised it as falling well short, arguing the government copied and pasted the LNP's breach of bail policy while refusing to remove detention as a last resort or deliver gold standard early intervention.
“Let me be clear, I will support the amendments proposed in this bill, but I give this warning to the state government: this bill falls well short.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the government for taking too long to act, sharing stories of crime victims in his regional electorate.
“The people of Callide have been crying out for action on youth crime for years. This bill is overdue but welcome.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued the Labor government created the cohort of repeat offenders by weakening youth justice laws in 2016 and failing the child protection system, citing rising crime statistics in North Queensland.
“The LNP will always be tough on crime. The LNP will always hold perpetrators of crime to account. The LNP will also always listen to Queenslanders.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill as one end of a spectrum of youth justice measures, highlighting that social media is now a core driver of motor vehicle theft offending and that the bill is not a silver bullet but part of a four-pillar youth justice strategy.
“This bill is not the be-all and end-all for youth justice reforms in Queensland. It is one end of a spectrum of measures.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill, drawing on her professional background in criminal justice to endorse the evidence-based approach.
“As someone who has worked in the criminal justice space, I know that effective responses to crime require both accountability and rehabilitation.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as a well-balanced approach, citing endorsements from the Queensland Police Union, SDA, and LGAQ, and defending police resourcing in his electorate.
“This bill will deliver on community expectations and help keep Queenslanders safe.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill as a necessary response to youth crime, the biggest issue in his electorate, but argued the government was only acting because of political polling and pressure.
“The only reason this bill is in here is because the polling that the Labor Party would have done would have shown the Premier, when she went into the room to say, 'You, you and you,' and all the lefties that are against this would lose their seats.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill while criticising the government's broader record on crime, arguing more needed to be done for community safety.
“We support this bill, but let us be clear: it has taken this government far too long to listen to the community.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued it does not deliver the Premier's promised penalties, criticised the flow-on effect of crime on insurance costs and community safety, and called for an Auditor-General review of early intervention programs.
“We will support these changes but we suspect that, yet again, they will be a toothless tiger in this fight against youth crime.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Criticised the bill as too little, too late and a propaganda bill that will do little to address the crisis, while announcing the KAP would introduce amendments including removal of detention as a last resort, mandatory minimum sentencing, and relocation sentencing.
“Sadly, this bill falls under the category of too little, too late. The government has completely ignored pleas from Queenslanders to fix youth crime over the past eight years and are scrambling to force through a bill that will do little to address the current crisis.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued the government had been too slow and that constituents in his electorate were frustrated with rising crime.
“My community has been telling me loud and clear that they want tougher action on youth crime.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing messages of hope from Central Queenslanders to young offenders in detention, and emphasising both stronger penalties and community investment.
“I support the provisions of the bill which strengthen community safety and invest in early intervention.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill, praising the police minister's leadership and the effectiveness of the breach of bail provision and strengthened conditional release orders in addressing community concerns about youth crime.
“I feel the bill covers everything.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill while highlighting crime issues on the Gold Coast and calling for even stronger measures.
“The people of Southport and the Gold Coast have had enough. They want to feel safe in their homes and on their streets.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the government's record on youth crime, sharing constituent experiences of residents hiring private security and the Premier's false promise of 14-year sentences.
“The community is tired of living in fear and having to defend their properties with the risk of them being injured or killing a young offender and ending up in prison away from their families.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Welcomed the bill's changes including breach of bail and strengthened sentencing but argued more early intervention and accountability is needed, supporting the shadow minister's proposed amendment to remove detention as a last resort.
“I welcome the changes being made in the bill, particularly the amendments to the Bail Act 1980 and the Youth Justice Act 1992 as well as the amendments to the Criminal Code.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Supported the bill and shared constituent concerns about youth crime in the northern Gold Coast.
“I have spoken to so many residents who feel unsafe. This bill is a step in the right direction.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as striking the right balance between targeting repeat offenders and investing in grassroots diversion initiatives, acknowledging community organisations working with at-risk youth in Ipswich.
“Overall, this bill strikes the right balance.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill as addressing youth crime while highlighting government investment in diversion programs including youth co-responder teams, Project Booyah and Transition 2 Success operating in Rockhampton.
“I believe that this bill not only addresses youth crime, particularly recidivist offenders, but also provides support services to assist our youth to make better choices.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing that increased incarceration and punitive measures do not reduce crime and disproportionately harm First Nations communities.
“Exposed the bipartisan tough on crime posturing of both the LNP and Labor in this state that does nothing to keep our community safe and everything to fill our prisons with First Nations people.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the breach of bail provisions after years of pushing for them, arguing Labor is fundamentally soft on crime and criticised the simultaneous release of drug decriminalisation policies as political payback.
“There is no point having bail conditions if there are no consequences for those conditions being breached.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but delivered a scathing critique of the government's record on youth crime, arguing over a billion dollars spent has yielded no tangible results and describing the bill as another example of policy on the run.
“We have had over $1 billion spent on youth justice measures—and for what? We have seen an increase in crime. It defies all logic that here we are, yet again, with another 10-point plan.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
Acknowledged community concerns about safety but expressed reservations about whether the bill's approach would be effective, calling for more focus on root causes.
“Whilst my community wants action, we must ensure that what we implement actually works to reduce reoffending.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as a Townsville member, defending the government's introduction of breach of bail and investment in early intervention programs like Project Booyah.
“I will always listen to my community and fight for what they need, and that is why I support this bill.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill as reflecting evidence-based, long-term strategies for addressing youth crime, drawing on her professional background in education to argue for early intervention and clinical support rather than short-term punitive responses alone.
“Short-term responses to a complex issue suggested by those opposite during their time in government may resonate politically. However, it is hard to accept that such short-term strategies will lead to long-term solutions.”— 2023-03-14View Hansard
As Minister for Police, spoke in reply to defend the bill and respond to opposition criticisms, reaffirming the government's commitment to community safety.
“This bill delivers on our commitment to keep Queenslanders safe by ensuring there are real consequences for those who break the law.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill but was deeply disappointed it did not go far enough, advocating for the KAP's relocation sentencing policy to send recidivist offenders to remote camps rather than youth detention centres.
“It seems criminally irresponsible to use this bill as a response to the enormous momentum and demand for meaningful change that has built up in the public.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill, arguing youth offending is intrinsically linked to disadvantage and poverty exacerbated by the previous LNP federal government's policies on wages and housing.
“Serious, repeat youth offending is a complex and layered issue, not an issue to be used in order to score points.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
As a former police officer, supported the bill but criticised the government for not delivering the promised maximum penalties and for not recalling parliament sooner.
“Back in January, the Premier did not turn up when the LNP called for parliament to be recalled so that we could debate these laws and bring them in immediately, and even now she has not turned up with the right laws for Queenslanders.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill while describing youth crime impacts on communities in Sippy Downs, Mountain Creek, Palm View and Buderim, and criticised the Premier's hollow promises.
“Bleeding hearts are not going to keep our community safe. Rather than media releases like this one, with hollow promises that will not be kept, the Premier needs to demonstrate real leadership and real action to tackle the youth crime crisis.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill, emphasising that breach of bail was never legislated by the LNP for young offenders, and citing his twin brother's experience as a police officer in Gladstone.
“If the court has determined the necessary bail condition then those conditions and breaching them should be taken extremely seriously.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but argued the government has completely failed on crime for eight years, calling for consequences including removal of detention as a last resort and consideration of mandatory sentences.
“Provide consequences for action and we will fix this problem.”— 2023-03-15View Hansard
▸In Detail14 Mar 2023 – 16 Mar 2023View Hansard
Amendment No. 1 to clause 10, changing the number '3' to '8', adjusting the relevant provision.
Government amendments Nos 2 to 5, agreed to en bloc, making consequential changes to the bill.
KAP amendments to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for youth offenders committing serious crimes.
That the amendments be agreed to
Vote on KAP amendments moved by Mr Dametto for mandatory minimum sentences. Defeated 5 ayes to 82 noes, with only KAP members supporting.
The motion was defeated.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (5)
Noes (82)
Further KAP amendments for mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. Leave to move was refused.
Vote to grant leave
Vote on whether to grant leave for KAP to move further amendments for mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. Defeated 5 ayes to 82 noes.
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (5)
Noes (82)
That that the amendment be agreed to
This division appears to relate to proceedings on a later sitting day (16 March) rather than the 15 March debate in this section. The vote was on an amendment during consideration of the bill, passing 48-34.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (34)
That clause 15, as read, be agreed to
Party VoteProcedural vote under standing order 106(10) on clause 15, following opposition from crossbench members.
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
That clauses 16 to 41, as amended, be agreed to
Party VoteProcedural vote under standing order 106(10) to agree to the remaining clauses of the bill as amended by government amendments.
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
This division appears to relate to proceedings on a later sitting day (16 March). The vote was on the amended motion, passing 48-34.
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (48)
Noes (34)
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
Vote on clause 5
Party VoteProcedural vote under standing order 106(10) on whether clause 5 should remain in the bill, following Greens opposition to the clause.
The clause was kept in the bill.
A vote on whether a specific clause should remain in the bill as written.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
Opposed specific clauses during Consideration in Detail, arguing the punitive approach was counterproductive and would worsen outcomes for vulnerable communities.
“These clauses will do nothing to make our communities safer. They will fill our watch houses and prisons with children.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported the bill's intent but moved amendments for mandatory minimum sentences, arguing the bill did not go far enough. Amendments were defeated 5-82.
“We need mandatory minimum sentences to send a clear message. The current system is failing our communities.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Supported KAP amendments for stronger sentencing measures, arguing the bill as drafted was insufficient to address crime in regional Queensland.
“People in north Queensland are living in fear. We need real consequences, not more of the same failed approach.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
Backed the KAP amendments for tougher sentencing, sharing concerns from constituents in far north Queensland about crime and community safety.
“My electorate is ground zero for the youth crime crisis. We need mandatory minimum sentences now.”— 2023-03-16View Hansard
▸Third Reading16 Mar 2023View Hansard
That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time
Party VoteFinal passage vote on the Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023 as amended. Passed on the voices.
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
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