The Crisafulli Government is introducing legislation to the Queensland Parliament this week to expand its landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, increasing the total number of applicable youth offences to 45.
The proposed changes will add 12 serious offences, including domestic and sexual violence crimes, rioting, assault occasioning bodily harm, and conspiring to murder. The expansion follows recommendations from the Expert Legal Panel, which was established to consider more complex and serious criminal conduct.
According to the Government, the reforms form part of its broader strategy to address what it describes as a decade-long youth crime crisis under the former Australian Labor Party state administration. The legislation builds on the previously passed Making Queensland Safer Laws, under which more than 4,000 youth offenders have been charged with over 19,000 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences.
Government figures state that crime victim numbers have fallen by 7.2 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, which it attributes to stronger laws, increased police resources, early intervention measures, and rehabilitation programs.
The 12 Additional Offences Include:
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Assault occasioning bodily harm
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Conspiring to murder
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Unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse
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Riot
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Abuse of persons with an impairment of the mind
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Indecent treatment of a child under 16
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Choking, suffocation, or strangulation in a domestic setting
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Disabling to commit an indictable offence
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Stupefying to commit an indictable offence
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Endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent
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Aiding suicide
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Administering poison with intent to harm
Premier David Crisafulli said the expansion reinforces the Government’s commitment to prioritising victims and ensure serious consequences for serious crimes.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington stated the reforms would provide judges and magistrates with stronger tools to impose sentences that reflect community expectations, while Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said early intervention and rehabilitation efforts remain central to breaking the cycle of repeat offending.
The Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament this week.
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