Brisbane, QLD: Following a decisive by-election win in Hinchinbrook, the Queensland government is reportedly actively considering harsher bail penalties for youth offenders, a move that has sparked criticism from child advocacy groups.
The Liberal National Party (LNP) captured the Hinchinbrook seat late Saturday night with a 17 per cent swing, taking it from the Katter’s Australian Party. Candidate Wayde Chiesa had campaigned heavily on the slogan “breach bail, go to jail”, claiming the policy was developed in consultation with local voters.
If enacted, the policy would mandate jail time for young offenders who violate bail conditions, although breach of bail is already a criminal offence for juveniles under legislation reintroduced by the former Labor government in 2023.
Government Cites Community Support
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the by-election results signaled strong public backing for the proposal.
“The Hinchinbrook result shows voters support ‘breach bail, go to jail’. We’re actively considering it, not just for Hinchinbrook but across the state,” he said.
Chiesa is expected to meet with senior cabinet ministers, including the Attorney-General and Youth Justice Minister, to discuss the proposal once the Electoral Commission formally declares the seat.
Advocates Slam the Proposal
Debbie Kilroy, founder of the Sisters Inside advocacy group, criticized the concept as “hysteria” and an attack on vulnerable children.
“This is not policy, this is ‘hashtag hysteria’ by elected officials,” she said.
“Crime rates for young people are falling, yet these harsh penalties would disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.”
Kilroy urged the government to shift funding away from policing and incarceration toward community support programs.
Labor Calls It a Slogan, Not Policy
Opposition leader Steven Miles, whose party secured just 8.3% of the vote in Hinchinbrook, dismissed the initiative as premature.
“That’s another four-word slogan, not a policy. We’ll see what the government proposes before deciding our position,” Miles said.
The debate highlights growing tensions in Queensland over youth justice policy, balancing tough-on-crime measures with advocacy for rehabilitation and community support.
