Hon David Crisafulli MP

This bill implements the Government's 'adult crime, adult time' policy, allowing children who commit serious offences to receive the same sentences as adults, including mandatory life imprisonment for murder. It removes the principle that detention should be a last resort for young offenders and requires courts to give primary consideration to victims when sentencing. The changes also open up Childrens Court proceedings to victims and media.

This bill expands Queensland's 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' policy by adding 20 serious offences to the list of crimes for which young offenders can be sentenced as adults. It allows courts to impose adult maximum penalties, including life imprisonment with a 15-year mandatory minimum non-parole period, on young people convicted of offences including rape, torture, kidnapping, arson, and drug trafficking.