Ankle tags for children as young as 10 under new proposed law
Children as young as 10 could be fitted with ankle monitors under proposed Queensland laws.
The bill would allow courts to issue electronic monitoring devices to youths out on bail in the state, eliminating the need for parental or child consent.
Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber introduced the new laws to parliament on Wednesday.
“It allows electronic monitoring to be done statewide, it is no longer limited to geographic location, and that means every young person released on bail can be given electronic monitoring,” Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said at a news conference.
“We promised Queenslanders we would continue to strengthen our youth crime laws and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
“Under Adult Crime, Adult Time, young offenders now face serious consequences for their actions and these reforms are another step towards reducing recidivism and victimization.”
The Adult Crime, Adult Time Act came into force last year and allows young offenders to be given adult sentences for serious crimes, including murder and robbery.
Ms Gerber said the legislation “cleans up Labour’s mess” and will “make Queensland safer and reduce the number of victims of crime”.
Katherine Hayes, executive director of the Youth Advocacy Centre, told the ABC she was skeptical about how the tracking app would work, but still preferred to see children given a device rather than spend time in youth detention.
“The biggest challenge with electronic monitoring devices is having a safe, stable home where the device can be charged each night,” he said.
Ms Hayes said she would prefer the children had their consent and pointed out that the devices needed 4G phones and internet to work properly.
“If the child does not charge it or keep it connected to 4G, he will be in breach of his bail conditions and could be in danger of being detained again,” he said.
“But we still think electronic monitoring devices are better than detention.”
The Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025 will be considered in 2026 and the amendments will be debated in parliament.
