Comprehensive review of Queensland’s Juvenile Justice Act

Details of a comprehensive review of Queensland’s Juvenile Justice Act will be announced shortly.

Premier Peter Beattie and Communities Minister Warren Pitt said today Cabinet had agreed to review the Act, which was introduced 15 years ago.

“This review will help ensure that Queensland’s youth justice system has the capacity to adequately respond to the demands and challenges of the present day”, Mr Beattie said.

“The government wants to make sure our youth justice system not only deals effectively with individuals who commit offences, but also is able to respond properly to the victims of these offences, and their families,” he said.

Mr Pitt said the review would take place from July 2007 to the first half of 2008. He expected to announce shortly the timeframes for public submissions and the release of an accompanying issues paper.

He said the review would examine the effectiveness of the current legislation and focus on specific areas including the existing range of sentencing options, the causes of high levels of young people on remand and ways to address these, and the transition of young people from detention into the community.

The review would also explore legislative options aimed at reducing the rate at which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people come into contact with the Queensland criminal justice system.

All relevant agencies, organisations, individuals, families, interest groups and community organisations will have an opportunity to participate in the review.

As well as this, the Department will consider the findings of any relevant research, reviews or evaluations relating to contemporary youth justice practice to ensure that the review is based firmly in youth justice research and evidence.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280