Queensland passes new youth justice legislation in crime crackdown aimed at 'hardcore' young offenders

Queensland's Parliament has passed contentious new youth justice legislation that is set to become law in a bid to "crack down" on recidivist young offenders, despite concerns raised by advocates. Key points: Police Minister Mark Ryan says the bill targets the "10 per cent cohort of hardcore youth offenders" Youth justice advocates have warned the legislation will be ineffective and further marginalise vulnerable children The legislation will see GPS tracking devices trialled on select groups of young offenders The legislation includes a trial of GPS monitoring devices, strengthened anti-hooning laws, increased police powers and reversing the presumption of bail for serious indictable offences. While Queensland police welcomed the move, youth justice advocates expressed alarm, saying the laws would be ineffective, were a "knee-jerk reaction" and risked pushing some young people further to the margins. "We believe that the provisions of the Bail Act should apply equally to adults and children," Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services Dale Last told Parliament.