The Youth Advocacy Centre says its funding has been cut after it criticised the Queensland government's youth justice measures. Chief executive Katherine Hayes said the organisation applied for several tenders but was awarded none, with its contract ending early. She said the cut affects $3 million and 19 frontline workers. Hayes believes the cut was retaliation for her criticism. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber says the program was not renewed because it did not meet government performance targets on reoffending while on bail.
Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson says she is not taking a new poll for granted, even though it shows the Coalition ahead of Labor a month before the state election. The Newspoll gives the Coalition 33 per cent of the primary vote, Labor 24 per cent and One Nation 20 per cent. Wilson says she must still earn voters' trust and that the state needs urgent fixes, including repairs to roads and more police. If the Coalition forms a majority government, Wilson has pledged to recall Parliament on Christmas Eve to pass tougher bail and sentencing laws.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says laws creating a standalone offence for breaching bail will pass parliament next week. Repeat offenders, including children, who commit a serious offence on bail would face a minimum one-year jail sentence. The offence carries a maximum of three years in jail. Mr Crisafulli admitted the changes would put pressure on the court and prison system but said he would always choose public safety. Opposition Leader Steven Miles said Labor will support the laws, but warned the government must plan for overcrowding in prisons and youth detention centres.
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A union covering Queensland prison guards warns that jails may be forced to house three prisoners in cells built for one once new breach bail laws take effect. Together Queensland says an expected rise in prisoner numbers could cause sanitation problems, food shortages and more assaults and injuries. The union's survey found 93 per cent of corrections officers said their centres could not safely take more prisoners without extra staff and resources. A parliamentary committee is due to report on the legislation, with the bill targeted for November implementation.
Queensland's ombudsman, Anthony Reilly, has backed away from calling for the Wacol youth remand centre to close. His latest report says the centre is not suitable for children, but he considers it better than holding them in police watch houses. He is concerned that new bail laws could lead to more young people being detained. Sisters Inside chief executive Debbie Kilroy called the backdown a gutless retreat.
Daniel Billings, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder of Molly Ticehurst, has filed notice of his intention to appeal. The NSW Supreme Court confirmed the filing, lodged on October 9. Local MP Phil Donato said the appeal would add stress and trauma for Ms Ticehurst's family. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to appeal the sentence. Ms Ticehurst's death prompted changes to the state's bail laws for domestic violence offences.
A Queensland detention services inspector says a remand centre built for adults should keep holding children, because youth detention centres may lack capacity under proposed breach bail and jail laws. Anthony Reilly, who is also the state ombudsman, said the Wacol Youth Remand Centre is not suitable for children but is better than police watch houses. The average number of children there each day rose from 32 to 54 by August 2026. Premier David Crisafulli said his government had increased capacity by 20 per cent and would keep investing in facilities and early intervention.
