Across Far North Queensland, here is WIN NEWS.
Tonight, Extraordinary proposed youth justice laws are overriding the Human Rights Act and Aged pension payments forecast to shrink despite retiree numbers doubling and replenishing damaged seagrass habitats on our Great Barrier Reef.
Good evening and welcome to WIN NEWS I'm Lincoln Humphreys. The Queensland government has been heavily criticised by activists and the state opposition for introducing unexpected amendments that could override the Human Rights Act, allowing minors to be kept in watch houses across our states.
The opposition, calling the government's actions an affront to democracy. Rushed amendments in Parliament house, causing uproar from the state opposition. "Queenslanders will remember this day the day thatthis government trashed the parliamentary process in this State" - Opposition Leader David Crisifulli.
In Parliament yesterday afternoon, Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan tabled 57 pages of amendments into parliament without notice, aiming to address overcrowding in youth detention centres across the state, including an override of Queensland's Human Rights Act allowing minors to be kept in watch houses legally for an unspecified amount of time.
"As a result of our strong laws, more young offenders are in custody for longer period a time and this is impacting youth detention capacity". - Mark Ryan QLD Police Minister.
The changes will also allow youth detention centres to be established in existing watch houses and adult corrective centres if needed, and are set to be in place until the end of 2026 or until new youth detention centres, including one in Cairns, are operational.
"And it gives the chief executive of uh, Youth Justice the ability to respond in an emergent situation" - Di Farmer QLD Youth Justice Minister. Activists believe keeping kids in watch will only deepen issues facing young people.
Youth Justice Reform Advocate Shane Cuthbert says "But a lot of these youth, they're already traumatised. They're experiencing abuse at home and we already know this and and placing them in a watch house where they don't have adequate support, mental health, health, um, education.It's just going to make that worse".
Because Queensland Parliament doesn't have a Senate proposed legislation goes through a parliamentary committee to be scrutinised However, by introducing these changes as amendments, the government bypassed this constitution process. Opposition Leader David Crisifulli said in Parliament today "It was a moment that this government trashed the way this parliament operates, and in the process it trashed the last remaining shred of their integrity credibility".
The government's today defending the move, arguing the amendments only clarify and validate 30 years of practise. "These are urgent amendments, Uh, they had to be put in place to guarantee the safety and well-being of young people and these detention centres".
Amalee Saunders, WIN NEWS.
