Queensland's Controversial New Laws Subject Children to Adult Jail Sentences

Thu Dec 18 2025 02:01:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A new legislative move in Queensland allows children from age 10 to face the same legal penalties as adults for serious crimes, sparking debate over its effectiveness and ethical implications.

Queensland has enacted laws imposing adult penalties on children as young as 10 for serious offenses, claiming it will deter youth crime. However, experts and international bodies argue the opposite, citing research that suggests harsher punishments do not effectively reduce youth delinquency and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.

The Australian state of Queensland has enacted a significant legal shift, allowing children as young as 10 to receive the same penalties as adults for serious crimes, including murder and aggravated assault. The Queensland government asserts that these new laws will address "community outrage" over youth crime and serve as a deterrent for potential offenders.

Premier David Crisafulli expressed that the legislation reflects a commitment to prioritizing "the rights of victims over the rights of criminals," especially for those feeling threatened by youth crime. However, experts are questioning the efficacy and ethical considerations of this approach, indicating that imposing tougher sentences might not only fail to mitigate crime rates but could potentially worsen them.

Contrary to the government's stance, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a marked decline in youth crime rates in Queensland over the past 14 years, reaching a historical low in 2022. Research has consistently demonstrated that increased penalties do little to deter young offenders, often suggesting that early interaction with the justice system may lead to a higher likelihood of repeated offenses.

This legislative overhaul, dubbed “adult crime, adult time,” encompasses 13 different offenses subject to increased sentencing, including mandatory life sentences for murder with a 20-year non-parole period. Previously, young offenders could face a maximum of 10 years for murder, applied only under extreme circumstances.

The reforms also eliminate the principle of "detention as a last resort," which favored non-custodial options like community service for youths. Legal professionals have raised alarms that this change might lead to longer trials as children may be less inclined to plead guilty under the threat of harsher penalties.

While the Queensland Police Union insists that this move is a step toward addressing the youth crime issue, concerns persist regarding its alignment with international human rights standards. The United Nations has voiced criticism, highlighting that the new laws violate child rights conventions.

Furthermore, Legal experts and advocacy groups worry that Indigenous youth and other marginalized groups will face disproportionate consequences from these revised laws. As Queensland struggles with overcrowding in detention facilities, the new regulations may compel local authorities to hold more young individuals in police cells for extended periods.

In response to potential criticisms, Premier Crisafulli has assured that plans are underway to develop additional detention facilities. Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Children, Anne Hollonds, has condemned the new measures, labeling them an "international embarrassment" and criticizing the government for ignoring substantial evidence that early engagement with the justice system increases the likelihood of continued criminal behavior among youths. As this debate unfolds, the effectiveness and ramifications of Queensland's new laws remain uncertain.