In response to a parliamentary question on notice,Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the group targeted by the new laws – the 10 per cent of young offenders responsible for almost half of all youth crime – comprised344 people.
The department has now confirmed 219 of those,or 64 per cent,were Indigenous. A spokeswoman said it was working with communities and their leaders to deliver a range of culturally responsive programs to prevent and respond to youth crime.
Indigenous-led justice coalition Change the Record co-chair Cheryl Axleby said it was a “terrible irony” that the laws were passed just one week after the anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody,and amid national discussion about the issueafter seven more deaths since March.
“The Queensland government’s own numbers show that these laws will only drive more of our young ones behind bars,” Ms Axleby said.
“Our people will not stop dying in custody until governments invest in community-led solutions instead of endlessly pouring taxpayer dollars into a broken criminal justice system.”
Announcing the suite of changes in February after a number of high-profile fatal crashes involving young people,Police Minister Mark Ryan said the government was being “very particular” with the laws,as the majority of young people were responding well to intervention programs.
The sweeping changes included GPS tracking trials for some young people charged with serious offences but out on bail,and tougher bail restrictions,including a reversal of the presumption against release,which Mr Ryan said could lead to more of the cohort in custody.