Original Source: www.sbs.com.au
The United Nations has sharply criticized Queensland’s recent legislation, branding it as a “flagrant disregard” for children’s rights. The new ‘Adult crime, adult time’ laws emerged during the parliament’s inaugural session under Premier David Crisafulli, a promise made during an election campaign emphasizing youth crime. These laws eliminate vital protections for youth offenders, subjecting children as young as 10 to harsh adult penalties, including life sentences for serious crimes.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Chair, Ann Skelton, expressed strong disapproval of the legislation, highlighting its breach of international standards. She emphasized the necessity of treating children distinctively within the justice system, asserting that detention should be a last resort. Skelton noted that the laws could exacerbate safety issues rather than alleviate them, calling for a re-examination of these policies.
Under the new laws, maximum penalties for crimes like murder have escalated significantly. For instance, the punishment for murder and manslaughter will shift from a decade to a mandatory life sentence. Other severe offenses will see their penalties doubled, increasing the pressure on youth detention facilities already burdened with high occupancy.
Queensland currently has the highest youth incarceration rates in Australia, with alarming statistics revealing Indigenous youth are disproportionately affected. Critics assert that locking up children at a young age ultimately leads to repeating cycles of crime, as evidenced by staggering re-offense rates of up to 96% within a year of release.
Opposition to the ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ bill is mounting, with protests erupting outside the parliament. Various advocacy groups, including Change the Record and the Human Rights Law Centre, have denounced the proposal, advocating for investment in community-led solutions rather than punitive measures targeting vulnerable children. Critics contend these policies could further entrench systemic injustices and jeopardize the future of Queensland’s youth.
Human rights defenders, including First Nations justice leaders, label these laws as a backward step, arguing they complicate the safety of communities, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. They highlight decades of evidence advocating for preventive strategies over punitive action, pressing for an urgent shift in approach.
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall warns of the dangerous implications of these laws on international human rights standing. He calls for society to reassess how it treats its youngest members — insisting children should not be subject to adult-level culpability. As the Committee reviews the bill, the future of these discussions will weigh heavily on the balance between justice and rights protection for children.
The legislation introduced in Queensland raises significant concerns over children’s rights and the treatment of juvenile offenders. Dubbed the ‘Adult crime, adult time’ laws, they aim to address rising youth crime rates but risk aggressive penalization of minors. Critics, including the UN, underscore the need for approaches that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration, emphasizing the importance of treating children differently in the justice system as per established international standards.
In summary, Queensland’s new laws provoke widespread criticism, particularly from international human rights advocates, who argue they violate fundamental principles safeguarding children’s rights. The move toward punitive measures raises questions about societal values and priorities regarding juvenile justice. As debates continue, the call for alternatives that nurture and rehabilitate rather than punish resonates strongly among community leaders and advocates.
