Children as young as 10 could have their location tracked 24/7 under new youth bail monitoring laws.
The Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025 means courts across the state can impose a GPS device as a bail condition, for any youth offender aged 10 to 17, including first-time offenders.
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said it would provide locals with more security.
“We promised this community we would strengthen youth crime laws to restore safety, and that’s exactly what we are doing,” she said.
Member Nicklin Marty Hunt also said the community would have greater protection.
“Electronic monitoring is not an alternative to detention. Youth offenders who should be in detention will be. But when a youth is released on bail, these laws mean they can be monitored 24/7,” he said.
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“This region voted for strong laws and consequences for action, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
The state government stated that the bill delivered some of the strongest youth bail monitoring laws in the country, and that electronic monitoring devices have been found to reduce the likelihood of re-offending by 24 per cent.
Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber said strong youth bail monitoring laws were part of the government’s plan to deliver safety and reduce victim numbers.
“By putting more GPS trackers on youth offenders on bail, alongside intensive support services, we will reduce reoffending, have fewer victims of crime and safer communities,” she said.
