The Crisafulli Government has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening Queensland’s bail laws.
The new legislation aims to target adult and youth offenders who commit serious offences while on bail.
The Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, introduced to Parliament recently, is the next stage of the state government’s Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
Under the proposed changes, committing a serious offence while released on bail would become a standalone offence, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, to be served wholly in custody.
The bill also would introduce a new ‘high degree of confidence’ test for serious offenders – meaning police or a court would have to be satisfied to a high degree of confidence that an offender would not commit another serious offence while on bail before bail could be granted.
For young offenders, serious offences would include those covered by Adult Crime, Adult Time.
For adults, the definition would also include coercive control and child sexual offences covered by Daniel’s Law.
The reforms would require defendants to show cause as to why their detention is not justified and satisfy police or the court that they would not commit another serious offence while on bail.
The government has committed to passing the legislation by the end of the year.
Premier David Crisafulli says the reforms represent one of the most significant packages of bail reform ever introduced to the Queensland parliament.
“We are expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time to deliver stronger bail laws to make Queensland safer, “Mr Crisafulli says.
“We made a promise to take on Labor’s weak bail laws, we listened to Queenslanders and we’re delivering.
“These are important reforms the ministers have been working through for some time to deliver the nation-leading stronger bail laws that will restore safety.”
Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington says the reforms will put victims first and target offenders who pose a risk to the community.
“Queenslanders have made it clear they want tougher bail laws that put victims first and that’s exactly what the Crisafulli Government is delivering through our Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms,” she says.
“We are also cracking down on offenders who seek to harm children and exploit our most vulnerable, because protecting Queensland kids is not negotiable.”
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber says the government is responding to calls for tougher bail laws while also investing in early intervention and rehabilitation.
“We will always put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders,” she says.
“Alongside our tough laws, we are also delivering more early intervention and rehabilitation programs than ever before to help turn young lives away from crime and prevent the next generation of youth offenders.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie says the
government is delivering more police and stronger laws.
“We are delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for with more police, stronger laws and fewer victims including tougher bail laws,” he says.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm says the reforms will strengthen protections for victims of domestic and family violence by including coercive control in the new bail provisions.
“Coercive control and domestic and family violence have no place in our society and too many have already lost their lives as a result,” Minister Camm says.
“The inclusion of coercive control under the strongest bail reforms in the country reinforces our resolve to improve the lives of Queensland women and children who, all too frequently and tragically, experience harm at the hands of others.”
The government says the reforms form part of its broader approach to community safety, alongside increased policing, early intervention and rehabilitation programs.
Police data shows victim numbers have fallen by 9.6 per cent.
