Hundreds of children charged for breaching bail in first two months of controversial Queensland law

Almost 300 children have been charged with breaching their bail conditions in the two months since the Queensland government’s controversial new youth justice laws have taken effect.

The Palaszczuk government overrode Queensland’s Human Rights Act in February to introduce legislation that made breach of bail an offence for children. Experts lambasted the changes, warning they could unfairly punish innocent and disadvantaged kids for simply missing an appointment or breaking curfew due to violence at home.