Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
Detaining a young person costs 8.6× more per day than supervising them in the community ($3635/day vs $424/day, 2024-25)
Chapter 01
Access
Where the money goes when government talks about fixing youth justice.
Headline · ROGS 2024-25
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
$1,326,739 per young person per year — average across Australia (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalCorroborated · 2
$154,599 per young person per year for community-based supervision — national average (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
$1141M total government recurrent expenditure on youth detention nationally (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalCorroborated · 2
$520M total government spend on community-based youth supervision nationally (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
860 young people detained on the average day in Australia (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalCorroborated · 2
3,358 young people under community-based supervision on the average day (2024-25)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
1119 youth detention beds across 15 centres nationally
National youth detention bed capacity →
live registerCommunity supervision serves nearly four times as many young people for less than half the spend. The cost gap is not subtle. The numbers are pulled live from the Productivity Commission's Report on Government Services, table 17A.20 (detention) and 17A.21 (community-based supervision).
Tier 1QLDTriangulated · 3
For every $1 of QLD government youth justice funding that reached a Tier 1 frontline org, the government spent $0.02 on consulting and advisory firms doing YJ work
Confirmed funding records, 2026-05-15 snapshot.
Tier 1QLDTriangulated · 3
$6,163,518.8 in confirmed YJ-relevant consultancy and advisory contracts (9 contracts)
Tier 1QLDTriangulated · 3
$397,763,098.7 reached confirmed Tier 1 frontline orgs in QLD (1000 funding rows)
Tier 1QLDCorroborated · 2
92 Tier 1 frontline YJ organisations in QLD
Tier 1 primary frontline YJ orgs (QLD) →
live registerTier 1NTCorroborated · 2
9 Tier 1 frontline YJ organisations in NT
Tier 1 primary frontline YJ orgs (NT) →
live registerTier 1QLDTriangulated · 4
46%
Indigenous-controlled share of QLD Tier 1 →
live registerSecondary claim · meeting register
Tier 1QLDCorroborated · 2
QLD youth justice minister meetings: ~45 meetings with departmental staff per 1 meeting with a Tier 1 frontline organisation (civic_meeting_tags LLM-classified, pending human review)
The ministerial diary register contains near-zero direct consultancy meetings. That is not a sign that consultancies don't shape policy. It is a sign that procurement, not meetings, is where the access happens. The funding ratio above is the honest proxy. This number complements but does not replace it.
The confirmed Tier 1 universe
12 primary frontline organisations make up the v1 Tier 1 universe across QLD and NT. Each classification starts as a machine proposal scored for confidence, then passes a review step against the Tier 1 definition before it counts here. Lower-confidence proposals remain in the curation queue.
QLD · 3
- Accer Care Pty LtdIndigenous
- Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire CouncilIndigenous
- V.I.T.A.L. Projex
NT · 9
- CatholicCare NT
- Kalano Community Association IncIndigenous
- Kurdiji Aboriginal CorporationIndigenous
- Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation RNTBCIndigenous
- Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal CorporationIndigenous
- North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency LtdIndigenous
- OonchiumpaIndigenous
- The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal CorporationIndigenous
- Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal CorporationIndigenous
Chapter 02
Promises
What governments said they would do. What state of completion those promises are in.
Made
0
In progress
15
No public evidence
0
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
600 commitments tracked (75 charter pledges + 525 Hansard statements)
Rhetoric over time
Ministerial statements naming detention vs naming alternatives. The shape of the curve says more than any single quote.
Tracked commitments
- in_progress·youth_justice
Maintain a strong focus on early intervention and rehabilitation measures for juveniles across the portfolio
Laura Gerber, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services
- in_progress·education
Introduce a zero-tolerance policy for violence, vapes and drugs in our schools
John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education and the Arts
- delivered·youth_justice
Strengthen restorative justice options for young offenders, including expanding Youth Justice Conferencing
Michael Daley, Attorney General and Minister for Justice
- delivered·child_safety
Deliver the 'Safer Children, Safer Communities' Plan to protect our State's most vulnerable children and prevent them falling into crime
Amanda Camm, Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
- in_progress·corrective_services
Create an environment where correctional facilities are a place where reform can occur for the perpetrators of crime
Laura Gerber, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services
- in_progress·youth
Investigate and activate opportunities to better allow for young Queenslanders to be consulted and informed on work undertaken by the Queensland Government
Sam O'Connor, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth
- in_progress·corrective_services
Ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Parole Board Queensland
Laura Gerber, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services
- delivered·youth_justice
Work with the Minister for Youth Justice and Minister for Corrective Services to reduce the number of young people in care interacting with the criminal justice system
Amanda Camm, Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Chapter 03
Oversight
What independent reviewers recommended. What happened next.
Accepted
1
Accepted in principle
0
Rejected
3
Deferred / silent
0
Tier 1NT + QLDTriangulated · 3
107 oversight recommendations tracked across NT + QLD oversight bodies
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
107 recommendations tracked across Sentencing Advisory Councils (QLD/VIC/TAS/NSW/NT), state Auditors-General, and the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the NT
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 4
5 jurisdictional Children's Commissioner annual reports analysed with structured findings + recommendations
Children's Commissioner reports analysed →
live ledgerTier 2ACTCorroborated · 2
45.8% of young people in ACT return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 4
7 state Auditor-General performance audits relevant to youth justice tracked with findings + recommendations
Tier 2SACorroborated · 2
42.7% of young people in SA return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are 16× more likely to be under youth justice detention than non-Indigenous young people (2024-25, national)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are 19× more likely to be under youth justice community than non-Indigenous young people (2024-25, national)
Tier 1NationalTriangulated · 3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are 20× more likely to be under any youth justice supervision (community + detention combined) than non-Indigenous young people (2024-25, national, AIHW rate per 10,000 ATSI ÷ rate per 10,000 non-Indigenous)
Tier 1NationalCorroborated · 2
56.7% of young people who completed a sentenced youth justice supervision return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (ROGS Table 17A.26, 2022-23, national average across all jurisdictions)
Tier 2NSWCorroborated · 2
39.9% of young people in NSW return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 2VICCorroborated · 2
56.6% of young people in VIC return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 2QLDCorroborated · 2
71.5% of young people in QLD return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 2TASCorroborated · 2
63.9% of young people in TAS return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Tier 2WACorroborated · 2
53.4% of young people in WA return to sentenced supervision within 12 months (2022-23)
Lived experience vs policy rhetoric
The Political Rhetoric
"I rise to speak to the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026. Put quite simply, this bill is going to introduce a range of..."
Kirkland|LNP|2026
"In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee. # EXPANDING ADULT CRIME, ADULT TIME AND TAKING A STRONG STANCE ON DRUGS AND..."
Deputy Speaker|2026
"I rise to speak in support of the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill. For 10 years, Labor weakened Queensland’s youth crime..."
Molhoek|LNP|2026
"Today it is a pleasure to rise to support the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill, which is delivering on a key election comm..."
Krause|LNP|2026
The Lived Experience
Where the people inside the system describe the system differently than the people setting policy.
Recommendations from named bodies
Address widening gap in Year 9 NAPLAN results between metropolitan and remote students
Productivity Commission|ROGS 2026 — Schools|National|education
pendinghigh
Recommendations on detention centre conditions, watch-house usage, and capacity management. Found 42-102 children in watch-houses daily. Youth detention at 99.6% capacity.
qld-ombudsman|Combined inspection report: youth detention centres|QLD|youth-justice
unknownhigh
Strengthen investment practices to ensure decisions are based on sound market analysis, with the rationale for decisions clearly documented
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendingmedium
Finalize monitoring and evaluation framework and commence evaluation of 2023 reforms with transparent reporting
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
partially_implementedmedium
Strengthen leadership and governance by ensuring appropriate delegates attend committees, identifying key challenges, and improving information sharing across entities
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
partially_implementedhigh
Review, update, and implement new youth justice strategy including success indicators, actions to reduce First Nations overrepresentation, and clear roles and responsibilities
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
partially_implementedhigh
Continue working with key system stakeholders to ensure more effective coordination, integration, and delivery of youth justice-related initiatives
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
partially_implementedhigh
Finalize QPS youth justice strategy ensuring it includes measurable objectives and aligns to the state strategy
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendinghigh
Agree on uniform, evidence-based approach to identifying young offenders with the highest risk of reoffending and ensure this information is shared
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendingmedium
Formalize and execute plan for measuring the effectiveness of programs using its outcomes framework
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendingmedium
Improve and standardize processes and systems for collecting and recording data about core rehabilitation programs
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendingmedium
Monitor bail checks for serious repeat offenders to ensure timely and appropriate action
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
unknownmedium
Continue implementing plans to address staff shortages, including considering alternative methods to rehabilitate young offenders while centres are in lockdown
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
partially_implementedmedium
Ensure effective and sustained support to young offenders transitioning from detention into the community through structured planning and timely communication
qld-audit-office|Reducing Serious Youth Crime|QLD|youth-justice
pendingmedium
That the Department of Youth Justice publish transparent, standardised cost data for youth detention per young person per day, enabling public comparison with community-based alternatives
Queensland Audit Office|Report 15: 2023-24 — Reducing Serious Youth Crime (follow-up)|QLD|youth-justice
pendinghigh
Deep dive · Hansard
Speeches and statements on youth justice
Untitled
I will take that interjection right at the start. Yes, I am a former police officer and I am very proud of my hometown of Townsville. I am joined by five other officers on this side of the House, one of whom is our police minister and, as we know, was a former detective himself. Mr McDonald: A tra...
Poole|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
My previous iterations around the introduction of the Adult Crime, Adult Time legislation in this place and the passing of that legislation have delved into a number of areas. One of those has been the speciality, skills, quality and expertise of those members of the government who have contributed ...
Dillon|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
I rise to speak to the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026. Put quite simply, this bill is going to introduce a range of amendments across a number of different actions. The goal is to expand police powers in public spac...
Kirkland|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee. # EXPANDING ADULT CRIME, ADULT TIME AND TAKING A STRONG STANCE ON DRUGS AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AMENDMENT BILL ## Second Reading Resumed from 21 April (see p. 1028), on m...
Deputy Speaker|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
I rise to speak in support of the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill. For 10 years, Labor weakened Queensland’s youth crime laws, prioritised the rights of offenders over the rights of victims and removed consequences for se...
Molhoek|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
Today it is a pleasure to rise to support the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill, which is delivering on a key election commitment of the Crisafulli LNP government around making Queensland safer. The bill will achieve that i...
Krause|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
I rise to speak in support of the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026. This is an important bill. It goes to the heart of one of the most fundamental responsibilities we have in this place—that is, keeping Queenslanders ...
Chiesa|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Untitled
I rise today to support the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026, because at its core this bill is about restoring safety where people live. For me that means one thing: standing up for the people of Mackay. This debate...
Dalton|LNP|22 Apr 2026
Deep dive · Accountability loop
Section 6
Accountability Cross-Reference
Tracing the full loop: from what politicians say, to what they fund, to what happens on the ground, to what oversight finds, to what they promise next.
Source-grade transparency