Issues in Juvenile Justice in Queensland: New Laws, Old Visions

ON 4 AUGUST 1992, THE QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT PASSED THE Juvenile Justice Act 1992 and the Children's Court Act 1992. The legislation, which it is anticipated will be proclaimed in early 1993, repeals the juvenile justice provisions of the Children's Services Act 1965. It provides the legislative framework for the administration of juvenile justice in Queensland, and thus the ethos of this legislation will inform practice and policy in Queensland into the twenty-first century. The intention of this paper is first, to critically consider the adequacy and vision of the legislation, second to question the extent to which it appropriately responds to the causes and consequences of juvenile crime, and third, examine the potential it offers for increased confidence in the juvenile justice system by young people and the community. Because the principles of legislation are similar to those embodied in law in other jurisdictions the issues raised have relevance beyond Queensland.