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Queensland bail breach laws set for parliament next week
Premier David Crisafulli says controversial laws imposing minimum one-year jail sentences for repeat offenders who breach bail will pass parliament next week.
In brief
Premier David Crisafulli says controversial laws imposing minimum one-year jail sentences for repeat offenders who breach bail will pass parliament next week. Queensland's government will pass laws next week imposing minimum one-year jail sentences on repeat offenders, including children, who commit serious offences…
Queensland's bail breach laws pass next week
Premier David Crisafulli announced at the Queensland Press Club that controversial breach bail laws will pass parliament next week as the LNP approaches two years in office.
What the new laws will do
The laws introduce a standalone offence for breaching bail with a maximum three-year jail sentence. Repeat offenders, including children, who commit serious offences on bail face a minimum one-year jail sentence.
New bail threshold for courts and police
The laws require courts or police to deny bail unless they are satisfied to a high degree of confidence that a person will not reoffend.
Crisafulli acknowledges system pressure
Crisafulli said the changes will put pressure on the system but he would choose the safety of Queenslanders.He believes the laws will curb behaviour and reduce pressure on courts and prisons in the long term.
“Faced with the choice of people being able to roam free and maraud and create destruction or, having extra people in a cell, I'll always choose the safety of Queenslanders.”
Labor backs laws but warns on capacity
Opposition Leader Steven Miles said Labor would support the laws because people who commit offences while on bail should face harsher consequences.
Advocates raise serious concerns
Advocates have raised concerns the laws will expose more children to inhumane conditions, increase pressure on jails and courts, worsen reoffending rates and disproportionately target First Nations people.
Unions rally against industrial relations changes
Outside parliament, unions rallied against the government's proposed shake-up to industrial relations laws, which would strengthen the test for psychological injury claims and give the minister power to terminate strike action.
Unions call minister power outrageous
Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King said it was outrageous to give an individual the power to stop protected industrial action.
“This is something that should never be given to just one person.”
Crisafulli defends industrial relations proposal
Crisafulli said the government's proposal is a balanced approach that largely mirrors the Fair Work Act introduced by Julia Gillard's federal Labor government.
The short version
Queensland's government will pass laws next week imposing minimum one-year jail sentences on repeat offenders, including children, who commit serious offences on bail, despite concerns about prison overcrowding and impacts on First Nations people.
