Former QLD corrections boss calls for inquiry into 'systemic' failures

The former boss of Queensland's corrective services is calling for an independent inquiry to be established into what he describes as systemic failures in the state's justice and corrections system.

It comes as Queensland's parliament returns this week with youth crime and harsher bail laws set to be high on the agenda — despite a recent report from the state government's statistician which found there were 16.7 per cent fewer youth offenders in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.

• Guest: Keith Hamburger, former director-general of Queensland Corrective Services Commission
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Radio National Breakfast contacted Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who said in a statement:

The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer through stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation, delivering a 7.2 per cent drop in the number of victims in 2025, while juvenile serious repeat offenders are down 17%.

The Premier's office also informed Breakfast that every youth offender now receives twelve months rehabilitation as part of our Staying on Track program, an increase from the previous government.