youth justice services
IndustryReferenced in 3 bills
Criminal Law (Raising the Age of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2021
This bill sought to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Queensland from 10 to 14 years old. Children under 14 would no longer have been charged, prosecuted, detained, or given criminal records. It also required the release of children already in custody and the expungement of their records. This bill failed at the second reading and did not become law.
Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
This bill reforms Queensland's youth justice system by creating stronger bail protections for children, reducing the time young people spend in custody on remand, and banning electronic tracking devices on children. It implements the Queensland Government's Youth Justice Strategy 2019-2023 and its principle that detention should be a last resort for young people.
Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025
This bill makes electronic monitoring of children on bail a permanent feature of Queensland's youth justice system, available statewide. Following an independent evaluation that found monitoring reduced reoffending, improved bail completion, and reduced time in custody, the government is removing the trial's restrictions on age, offence type, and geographic location. The bill commences on 30 April 2026.