Call our lawyers
now
or,
have our lawyers
call you
Expansion of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ Laws (Qld)
Expansion of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ Laws (Qld)
The Queensland government has introduced legislation to add a further 15 offences to the adult crime, adult time laws passed last year. The Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill will expand the list of offences for which a young person is to be sentenced as an adult to include offences such as arson and rape. This page outlines the changes.
What is adult crime, adult time?
The ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws that were passed during 2024 introduced adult penalties for young persons found guilty of 13 serious offences including murder, manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm.
The changes were passed in response to community outrage over serious offences committed by teenagers and the perception that young people are not dealt with seriously when they commit offences.
Why are the laws being expanded?
Since the laws were introduced last year, there has been outrage over serious offences committed by young people that were not covered by the existing adult crime, adult time legislation including an attempted murder committed by a 13-year-old in Ipswich.
The government convened an expert panel to advise on the next round of offences that should be added to the sentencing scheme. It has reported to the government but its advice has not been released to the public.
Offences to be added
Section 175A of the Youth Justice Act is to be amended so that the following offences are added to the list of offences to which adult penalties apply:
- Going armed so as to cause fear
- Threatening violence
- Attempted murder
- Accessory after the fact to murder
- Killing unborn child by assaulting pregnant person
- Torture
- Damaging emergency vehicle when operating motor vehicle
- Endangering police officer when driving motor vehicle
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Assault with intent to commit rape
- Sexual assault involving oral contact
- Sexual assault involving a weapon or sexual penetration
- Kidnapping
- Kidnapping for ransom
- Deprivation of liberty.
When a young person is found guilty of any of these offences, they will now face the same maximum and mandatory penalties as an adult.
Responses to the changes
The changes have been criticised by the legal and community sectors, with Youth Advocacy Centre CEO Katherine Hayes saying that there is no evidence that harsher penalties deter young offenders.
The Queensland Law Society has said that the changes need to be thoroughly evaluated and has called for troubled youth to be better supported.
Victim groups have supported the changes, saying that young repeat offenders must be taken off the streets.
The proposed changes have been referred to a parliamentary committee prior to being debated in parliament.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.
Fernanda Dahlstrom
Content Editor
Fernanda Dahlstrom has a Bachelor of Laws from Latrobe University, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) from Deakin University. Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal defence, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory. She also practised in family law after moving to Brisbane in 2016.
Affordable Lawyers
Our Go To Court Lawyers will assist you in all areas of law. We specialise in providing legal advice urgently – at the time when you need it most. If you need a lawyer right now, today, we can help you – no matter where you are in Australia.How It Works
1. You speak directly to a lawyer
When you call the Go To Court Legal Hotline, you will be connected directly to a lawyer, every time.
2. Get your legal situation assessed
We determine the best way forward in your legal matter, free of charge. If you want to go ahead and book a face-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area.
3. We arrange everything as needed
If you want to go ahead and book a fact-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area no matter where you are and even at very short notice.
Related Law Topics
Justice Responses to Sexual Violence
In February 2025 the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) tabled its report on responses to sexual violence in Australia. This page deals with the terms of reference of the inquiry, some of the common criticisms of how sexual violence is responded to and prosecuted in Australia, and other inquiries that ....
Posted in:
Blog
Criminal Law
Proposed Changes to Youth Justice Laws (Qld)
In Queensland, there are mandatory sentences that apply to adults who are found guilty of murder and other serious offences. With the state election approaching, the Liberal Nationals Party is proposing to apply mandatory sentencing laws to young people found guilty of certain offences. The Opposition is also proposing to ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Queensland
Proposed Changes for Victims Giving Evidence (Qld)
In criminal proceedings in Queensland, the law permits special measures to be implemented in cases involving special witnesses such as children, victims of alleged family violence, victims of alleged sexual violence and witnesses who have a physical, mental or intellectual impairment. These measures include excluding the accused from the courtroom ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Sylvie Maranis a Finalist in Women in Law Awards
Go To Court Lawyers is proud to announce that one of our Legal Practice Directors, Sylvie Maranis, has been named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2020 in the category of Wellness Advocate of the Year. Sylvie works in our Melbourne office, where she where she is ....
Posted in:
Blog
Criminal Law
What is the ASIO Powers Amendment Bill?
The ASIO Powers Amendment Bill is currently before the House of Representatives. It is a bill, introduced by the Minister for Home Affairs, to amend the legislation governing the powers of arrest, questioning, search and seizure exercised by ASIO. Among others things, the bill proposes empowering ASIO to issue arrest ....
Posted in:
Australia
Criminal Law
Relaxing of Coronavirus Emergency Restrictions (Vic)
Please note that this post was published on 14 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. On 30th March 2020, the Victorian government put in place strict emergency restrictions in an attempt to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. On 1 June 2020, these restrictions were ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions (NSW)
Please note that this article was published on 12 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. From 1 June 2020, the Stage One COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales will be relaxed. The restrictions have been in place since May and were imposed under orders by ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Court Appearances and COVID-19 (WA)
Each Australian state and territory has made different changes to its court processes due to the COVID-19 crisis. While some jurisdictions have adjourned all but the most urgent court matters, others are continuing to operate their courts but doing so in a way that incorporates social distancing requirements set out ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Western Australia
George Pell Acquitted by High Court
On 7 April 2020 the High Court granted former Cardinal George Pell leave to appeal against the decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal to uphold the jury’s findings of guilt against the Cardinal in December 2018. After hearing his appeal, the High Court found that the jury ought to ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Self-Isolation Restrictions and Penalties (Vic)
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (the PHW Act) was enacted with the purpose of promoting and protecting public health in Victoria. It contains provisions that allow the State Government, and its Chief Health Officer, to make directions in response to public health concerns of national and international importance. ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
In January 2017, a Melbourne man drove his car through the busy Bourke Street mall, killing six people and injuring many more. After it came to light that the man had been on bail in relation to other offences at the time the tragedies occurred, Victoria’s bail laws were reformed ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, courts in many locations are changing the way they operate and are keeping personal appearances to a minimum. New South Wales courts have adopted the practice of holding all court appearance by phone or video conference, except where there are exceptional circumstances. This article will ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales