The CREATE Foundation warns that the proposed “Adult Crime, Adult Time” policy could disproportionately impact vulnerable young people.
Queensland detains the most children daily across the country and has the worst recidivism rate (Productivity Commission, 2023). This alarming statistic points towards a critical need for solutions beyond harsher penalties. The CREATE Foundation, a national voice for children in care, warns that the proposed “Adult Crime, Adult Time” policy would do more harm than good.
“The proposed harsher penalties are unlikely to deter crime,” says Imogen Edeson, CEO of CREATE Foundation. “Instead, they will likely punish young people with a history of trauma and disadvantage, many of whom are already in the State’s care system.”
Trauma and disadvantage fuel the cycle
Statistics show a concerning overlap between children in care and the justice system. CREATE points out that social factors like poverty, unstable housing, and lack of mental health support create a breeding ground for criminalisation.
“These young people often have complex pasts filled with trauma,” explains CREATE Young Consultant Elysay. “They lack the emotional support they need, and their frustrations can manifest as anger or aggression.”
Building on Elysay’s point, Young Consultant Jordyn advocates for a more restorative approach.
“There should be consequences for bad choices, but detention isn’t the answer,” she says. “Programs that provide opportunities like training, teamwork, and social connection can help these young people find purpose and reduce re-offending.”
28% of children in youth justice custody in 2022 had an active child protection order (Queensland Government, 2023a, 2023b). This staggering figure underscores the need to address the root causes of youth crime, not simply punish the consequences.
Focus on prevention, Not punishment
CREATE urges the government to invest in early intervention programs, diversion initiatives, and rehabilitation instead of harsher penalties. They argue that the proposed laws will only perpetuate a system that fails both children in care and the broader community.
“These proposed changes won’t make Queensland safer,” concludes Edeson. “They’ll simply transfer vulnerable young people from a broken child protection system to a broken youth justice system.
Also read: Funding for parenting support programs for rising youth crime rates