THE Making Queensland Safer Laws are set to be landmark legislation expected to become law by December 12, but the Opposition says it only saw the draft the morning of the first day of Parliament.
Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the Opposition would work together to hold the Government accountable for the term but would wait until the committee had gone through the legislation.
“The LNP Government released the draft legislation the morning of the first Parliament sitting day,” Ms Howard said.
“The laws will go to committee review, and I will comment on them after the committee has made their recommendations.”
The Government said it had taken the first step to restoring community safety and legislating Adult Crime, Adult Time with the introduction of the Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024 to Parliament.
Under the proposed laws, the Youth Justice Act 1992 would be amended so young offenders committing particular crimes would be subject to the same penalties as adults.
Thirteen offences will be subject to Adult Crime, Adult Time, under first tranche of laws including mandatory life detention for murder, with a non-parole period of 20 years.
Those offences include murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, home and business break-ins and robbery, and dangerous operation of vehicles.
The principle of detention as a last resort would also be removed from the Act to prioritise community safety, with the Making Queensland Safer laws also to change how offenders are sentenced.
Courts will be empowered to consider an offender’s full criminal history when sentencing, and fully open the Children’s Court for victims and the media.
Premier David Crisafulli said restoring community safety would be the first order of business with the Making Queensland Safer Laws.
“No one is suggesting there will be no crime, but these laws will start to restore safety to our community and mean fewer Queenslanders fall victim to crime,” he said.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the Bill would give hardworking police the laws they needed to do their job effectively.
“Under Labor, Queensland became the crime capital of the country,” Mr Purdie said.
“Dedicated officers were trying to keep our streets safe, but they were left to do it with one arm tied behind their back.
“The Making Queensland Safer Bill gives police the stronger laws they need.”
