Youth workers warn Queensland’s tough new laws on teen crime could backfire

Youth advocacy groups warn the Queensland Government’s proposed overhaul of youth justice laws will set the state back a decade.

Youth Advocacy Centre CEO Janet Wight said the changes were introduced into Parliament with “undue haste” and, if passed, will not do anything to make communities safer.

“We are very concerned that this bill will turn youth justice back about 10 years, if it is passed in its current form,” she told a public hearing into the proposed amendments at Parliament House on Monday.

“The bill will not…