Out of Step and Out of Touch: Queensland's 2014 Youth Justice Amendments

Abstract

Early in 2014, Queensland significantly transformed its Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld). The amendments included removing the principle that detention should be a last resort, providing for the automatic transfer of 17-year-olds in detention to adult correctional facilities and a mandatory boot camp order for recidivist motor vehicle offenders in Townsville. This article demonstrates that these amendments are out of step with other Australian jurisdictions, conflict with international obligations and are out of touch with the evidence as to best practice in youth justice.