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The Queensland Government has announced a new phase of its youth crime crackdown, with repeat young offenders who commit serious offences while on bail set to face mandatory sentences under proposed “Breach Bail, Go to Jail” laws. Photo source: Facebook/David Crisafulli MP
The Queensland Government has announced a new phase of its youth crime crackdown, with repeat young offenders who commit serious offences while on bail set to face mandatory sentences under proposed “Breach Bail, Go to Jail” laws.
The reforms will expand the State Government’s Adult Crime, Adult Time legislation, with the new offence applying to young offenders who commit serious crimes while on bail.
The announcement comes amid ongoing community concern about crime across regional Queensland, including in the Burdekin, where a petition calling for additional police resources and funding for private security patrols attracted 3,562 signatures in 2024.
The petition followed a period during which Member for Burdekin Dale Last claimed entry charges in Home Hill had increased twelvefold over a 12-month period, while Ayr recorded a fourfold increase over three months.
Under the proposed “Breach Bail, Go to Jail” reforms, young offenders who commit an Adult Crime, Adult Time offence while on bail would face a new offence carrying a minimum mandatory sentence.
The Queensland Government said the reforms would build on the first three phases of Adult Crime, Adult Time, which cover 45 offences and have contributed to a 7.2 per cent reduction in victim numbers following significant increases in previous years.
Premier David Crisafulli said the next stage of the laws would hold repeat youth offenders accountable.
“Breach Bail, Go to Jail is the next phase of Adult Crime, Adult Time, which is holding youth offenders accountable for the first time in a long time,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We’ve heard from Queenslanders who are telling us to keep going, and we will with reforms to Labor’s weak bail laws.”
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Government’s focus was on improving community safety through stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation.
“Bail is a privilege, not a right and if repeat offenders are breaching it, they should and will go to jail under this next phase of Adult Crime, Adult Time,” Ms Gerber said.
The Government said the legislation would be introduced following further consultation, with the reforms expected to become law by the end of 2026.
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