Repeat youth offenders across Central Queensland are staring down the barrel of tough new laws including GPS tracking, anti-hooning and stringent bail conditions aimed at stamping out a teenage crime wave.
The changes will also require Central Queensland parents to be more responsible for their childâs behaviour, assuring the court they will police their childâs adherence to bail conditions if they are released.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the reforms on Tuesday following a marathon cabinet meeting prompted by widespread public outcry.
Community outrage followed the tragic deaths of expectant parents Matthew Field and Kate Leadbetter, then last weekâs loss of Jennifer Board in Townsville.
Crime by Darren Cartwright
Premium Content Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey says the government accepts the state s youth bail laws need overhauling and the recent deaths of innocent bystanders were people being in the wrong place at the wrong time . Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk government s number one priority was fast-tracking any changes and all options were on the table, with the cabinet meeting on Monday to start the process. Even the possibility of juvenile offenders being made to wear GPS trackers had been canvassed, although Mr Bailey would not say whether he supported that measure. I think there s no doubt that people have been shocked at the number of the instances over the last two weeks, including the last couple of days, he said.
In the past week, the shocking failures of those very laws have had horrific consequences, with the deaths of a Brisbane couple, hit and killed by an out of control stolen car, allegedly driven by a teen out on bail. Then three police officers were injured in Townsville, during an incident involving a stolen car, allegedly driven by a 14-year-old, also out on bail. That prompted Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll to question the legislation and Mr Harper has now followed suit. 100 per cent agree with the Queensland Police Commissioner on seeking an immediate review into the Youth Bail Laws to stop the recidivism of those offenders who are wreaking havoc on our communities. Let s do this ASAP and help make our community safe. Lock them up, Mr Harper posted on Facebook.
 Queensland s Police Commissioner has defended her officers and the courts as she zeroed in on a need to beef up the law to deal with a revolving-door of hardened, young offenders terrorising the state. Even as Police Minister Mark Ryan insisted the laws were working for the majority of children, Ms Carroll said Youth Bail Laws needed to be looked at as police struggled with a small group we re always opposing bail for, we re always before court for and we re always arresting . I wish more were actually put in custody and remain in custody, because we are finding that very difficult ⦠It is very frustrating, she said.