A Fresh Start for Queensland: Adult Crime, Adult Time expanded

Published Sunday, 30 March, 2025 at 03:09 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Veterans
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity
The Honourable Deb Frecklington

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Laura Gerber

30 March 2025 

A Fresh Start for Queensland: Adult Crime, Adult Time expanded 

  • The Crisafulli Government will expand Adult Crime, Adult Time this week, with the next round of offences introduced to Parliament. 

  • Arson, torture, aggravated attempted robbery, rape and attempted murder are just some of more than 12 additional offences to be introduced. 

  • Offences are based on recommendations of the Expert Legal Panel, a key election commitment of the Crisafulli Government to advise on additional offences for Adult Crime, Adult Time. 

  • This next stage of the Making Queensland Safer Laws continues to deliver on election promise to arrest Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis and restore community safety. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering the next major step in its plan to restore community safety, with the list of landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time offences to grow by more than a dozen. 

The expansion of Adult Crime, Adult Time under the Making Queensland Safer laws will be introduced in Queensland Parliament this week. 

The targeted list of additional offences is based on recommendations from the Expert Legal Panel, which was tasked with considering additional and more complex offences and crimes as part of the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment. 

The new offences will include rape, attempted murder, aggravated attempted robbery, torture and arson. 

Premier David Crisafulli said expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time was the next step in the Government’s promise to deliver the strong laws needed to turn the tide on youth crime.  

“This delivers on our commitment to expand Adult Crime, Adult Time with additional offences, as recommended by the experts,” Premier Crisafulli said.  

“This is the next stage, but it won’t be the last stage, we won’t rest until we arrest the Youth Crime Crisis.  

“Victims must come first and Adult Crime, Adult Time is just one way we are shifting the focus back to supporting victims and driving down youth crime.  

“After 10 years of weakened laws this won’t be fixed overnight, but we are making progress, and this is the next critical step in winding back a decade of decline under Labor.” 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the next round of Adult Crime, Adult Time offences demonstrated the Crisafulli Government’s clear intent for sentences to reflect community expectations. 

“The impact that Labor’s weak laws have had on communities is simply unforgiveable and every victim deserves to feel that justice has been served,” Attorney-General Frecklington said. 

“There is no expiration date on our commitment to Queenslanders and we will keep working at this. We will keep strengthening our laws just like we promised we would do.” 

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said the Expert Legal Panel would continue to consider additional offences for further expansion of Adult Crime, Adult Time. 

“We are sending a clear message to youth offenders that this Government is delivering consequences for actions and we have a laser-like focus when it comes to crime,” Minister Gerber said. 

“Labor’s weak laws created a Youth Crime Crisis and we’re committed to delivering the reform needed to turn the tide on youth crime in Queensland.  

“I want to thank the Expert Legal Panel for the work they have undertaken so far and I look forward to receiving further recommendations as we continue to strengthen our laws and put victims first.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Rosie Barrett 0487 799 649 (Premier) 

Rebecca Nardi 0475 688 124 (Attorney-General) 

Phoebe Powell 0419 625 794 (Minister Gerber)