The major exhibition ‘Presence’ by Berlin-based Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson is now on display at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Running from 6 December 2025 through 12 July 2026, this significant show is exclusive to Brisbane. Eliasson, globally renowned for installations that challenge how we perceive ourselves and the world around us, has previously created works such as transporting melting Arctic ice to European capitals and installing an all-encompassing ‘sun’ in the cavernous Turbine Hall at London’s Tate Modern.   ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence’ occupies GOMA’s ground floor with major installations, sculptures, and photo series. The exhibition invites visitors through shifting environments, including immersive works that manipulate light and colour and a meticulously constructed riverbed. Informed by Eliasson’s expansive interests in architecture, design, science, the environment, psychology, and wellbeing, the work investigates how we give shape to our experience of the world. The exhibition embodies the artist’s belief in the audience as co-creators, with the understanding that each visitor will experience the artwork uniquely as they move through and interact with the exhibition. The show encourages visitors to explore light, land, and life, and to reflect on how they connect with one another and the world around them, reminding us that we each perceive the world differently, even when standing side by side.   The exhibition features iconic early works alongside new commissions. Iconic pieces brought together for ‘Presence’ include the shimmering, touchable rainbow Beauty 1993 and the immense literal landscape of Riverbed 2014. Also featured is QAGOMA’s much-loved interactive installation, the ever-evolving Lego city of The cubic structural evolution project 2004.   Three major new works were created specifically for the exhibition, including Presence 2025. The new polarisation works, Your negotiable vulnerability seen from two perspectives 2025 and Your Truths 2025, utilize warped colour and shape to focus our attention on perception itself.   To enhance the visit, ‘Presence’ is complemented by QAGOMA’s interactive mobile companion. This companion includes a sense trail that offers gentle sensory prompts for selected artworks, an exhibition guide with curatorial insights, images, and behind-the-scenes videos. An expansive publication accompanies ‘Presence’, produced in collaboration with Eliasson and his studio, featuring contributions from celebrated writers Ceridwen Dovey and Robert Macfarlane. Visitors receive access to the mobile companion immediately upon purchasing their ticket to ‘Presence’, suggesting they bring their headphones to fully enhance their visit.

  A new community-driven campaign has been launched calling for a fully funded, purpose-built Multicultural Centre in Canberra, amid growing frustration that the nation’s capital continues to miss out on the kind of social infrastructure being delivered in other parts of Australia.   ACT Independent Senator David Pocock today announced the campaign, saying Canberra’s vibrant multicultural community still lacks an appropriate facility for large cultural events, festivals and community gatherings, despite longstanding promises and clear community need.   More than a quarter of Canberra’s residents were born overseas and there are over 200 active multicultural community organisations across the territory. Community leaders say this diversity is one of Canberra’s greatest strengths – but it is not being matched by investment in suitable infrastructure to support it.   Broken Promises And Missed Opportunities   At the 2020 ACT election, the then Labor–Greens governing coalition committed to “construct a large new multicultural events venue at EPIC for cultural performances and available for hire for large private functions, such as weddings.”   Instead, the ACT Government opted to refurbish the existing Fitzroy Pavilion at EPIC. Multicultural community organisations, the ACT Opposition and the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum criticised the move as a broken election promise, arguing the pavilion simply does not meet the specific needs of the community.   Community concerns have centred on the difficulty of booking the venue, the absence of a commercial kitchen and the lack of purpose-built facilities to support large cultural events. Despite those concerns being clearly raised, the refurbished Fitzroy Pavilion opened without a commercial kitchen, offering only a small kiosk – a major shortcoming for communities where food is central to cultural celebration and hospitality.   Senator Pocock wrote to Chief Minister Andrew Barr in 2023 outlining these issues and highlighting the dissatisfaction with both the proposal and the level of consultation. The Chief Minister’s response referred to limited consultations – involving six community organisations and nine individuals – and pointed to a separate commitment for a broader community centre in Gungahlin. Community groups say this falls far short of a dedicated, central multicultural facility for all of Canberra.   Canberra Left Off The Funding Map   Community frustration has been sharpened by recent federal funding decisions that have benefited other regions but not the ACT.   In the lead-up to the last Federal election, federal Labor pledged: $106,000 to upgrade multicultural centres in Queanbeyan and Goulburn $5 million for a regional multicultural centre in the Illawarra $4 million for a multicultural centre in South Dandenong   No comparable commitments were made for Canberra, despite its size, diversity and status as the national capital.   Senator Pocock said it was unacceptable that the ACT kept missing out on the kinds of projects other electorates routinely receive.   “Like many Canberrans, I hate seeing the ACT continually missing out on the kind of projects that other electorates receive federal funding for,” he said.   Social Infrastructure Amid Competing Priorities   The Senator acknowledged that governments at all levels are grappling with tight budgets and multiple pressing priorities, including housing, health – particularly hospitals, GPs and out-of-pocket costs for scans – and education.   But he argued that key social infrastructure like a Multicultural Centre cannot be sidelined, especially when there is clear precedent for federal funding of such projects elsewhere.   “Governments need to genuinely listen to the community, deliver what they commit to rather than some lesser version and keep promises made in the lead up to elections,” Senator Pocock said.   “So much of celebrating culture revolves around food and the absence of a commercial kitchen in the Fitzroy Pavilion refit renders it inadequate for its intended purpose.”   Community-Driven Campaign Begins   To put the issue firmly back on the agenda, Senator Pocock is backing a community-led push for a new, purpose-built Multicultural Centre for Canberra that meets the practical needs of multicultural communities and reflects their contribution to the city.   As part of the campaign, he is launching: A dedicated website to explain the case for a Multicultural Centre and track progress A petition calling on both the ACT and Federal Governments to commit to and fully fund a new, purpose-built facility A community survey to gather detailed input on what the centre must include to be fit for purpose, from layout and capacity to kitchen, performance and meeting spaces   Feedback from the survey will shape a detailed community-informed proposal that Senator Pocock plans to take into upcoming federal budget negotiations and ongoing discussions with the ACT Government.   Town Hall Launch In Belconnen   The campaign is being officially launched at Senator Pocock’s fourth and final booked-out community Town Hall event for the year in Belconnen.   There, community leaders, multicultural organisations and local residents are expected to share their experiences of trying to host large cultural events in Canberra and outline what they need from a dedicated Multicultural Centre.   For many, the campaign represents not just a push for bricks-and-mortar infrastructure, but a call for recognition and respect.   They argue that a well-designed, accessible Multicultural Centre – with proper performance spaces, flexible halls, meeting rooms and a fully equipped commercial kitchen – would become a focal point for cultural celebration, social cohesion and community connection in Canberra for decades to come.   After more than ten years of advocacy and repeated disappointments, community leaders say it is time for both the ACT and Federal Governments to commit and deliver.   As the campaign slogan puts it: It’s time to put a Multicultural Centre for Canberra back on the agenda – and this time, to get it done.  

Queensland is set to benefit from more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy under new legislation passed by the Crisafulli Government, which promises to strengthen the state’s energy foundations and deliver long-term cost savings for households.   The Energy Roadmap Amendment Act 2025 marks a major policy shift in how Queensland plans, manages, and invests in its energy future. The Act aims to enhance existing public energy assets, support private sector investment, and ensure clear economic direction for both traditional and renewable energy projects. According to the government, the legislation will prevent the average Queensland household from paying an extra $1,035 per year on energy bills compared to projections under the former Labor Government. The roadmap is also forecast to save taxpayers $26 billion by 2035, driven by streamlined processes and market-led investment strategies.   Building the Future of Queensland Energy   Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the reforms deliver on the government’s election commitment to provide Queenslanders with a “fresh start and a stronger economy.”   “These new laws support affordable and reliable energy for all Queenslanders,” Mr Janetzki said. “Unlike Labor’s unrealistic plan to close coal units arbitrarily, we’re focusing on asset integrity, economic viability, and the right balance between renewables and traditional sources.”   Under the new roadmap, the Crisafulli Government is introducing several major initiatives:   A $400 million Queensland Energy Investment Fund and QIC’s Investor Gateway to drive private investment in generation and firming projects. A $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee to upgrade and improve existing energy assets. A $10 million community battery program to enhance solar energy storage in local areas. A 400MW gas-fired generation tender for Central Queensland. Continued development of the Copper String transmission line, linking North and North West Queensland to the National Electricity Market. Creation of Regional Energy Hubs, promoting efficient, market-driven infrastructure development. Introduction of a new code of conduct for renewable energy developers to ensure responsible engagement with local communities.   Strengthening Public Ownership and Industry Confidence   The Act also reinforces Queensland’s 100 per cent public ownership of existing generation assets, preserving key operational control while improving frameworks for coordinated energy infrastructure across the state.   It replaces broad renewable targets with a more flexible, market-responsive Energy System Outlook, allowing faster adaptation to changing energy demands without compromising affordability or reliability.   “This roadmap provides clarity for the future of coal and gas while keeping Queensland open to private investment in renewables and firming technologies,” Mr Janetzki added. “We’re unlocking new energy opportunities and ensuring our state remains competitive in a global economy.”   The Job Security Guarantee Fund has also been retained under the new legislative framework, supporting Queensland workers as the state transitions toward a modern, diversified energy system.   For more information on the Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap, visit www.treasury.qld.gov.au/energy-roadmap.  

Brisbane is preparing for a spectacular summer of tennis as the 2026 Brisbane International unveils an exceptional line-up featuring some of the world’s elite athletes. The tournament, scheduled for January 4-11, 2026, will showcase seven of the world’s top ten women’s players and bring an estimated $12 million economic boost to Queensland.   A World-Class Field Takes Centre Court   The Crisafulli Government has confirmed an impressive roster of international tennis superstars set to compete at the iconic Pat Rafter Arena. The women’s field includes world number one Aryna Sabalenka, alongside top-ranked competitors Amanda Anisimova (No. 4), Elena Rybakina (No. 5), and Madison Keys (No. 7). The men’s tournament will feature prominent ATP players including Daniil Medvedev (No. 13), Grigor Dimitrov (No. 44), and Australian rising star Alexei Popyrin (No. 54).   The tournament marks a significant milestone, celebrating its 15th anniversary with unprecedented star power that promises thrilling on-court action and world-class tennis throughout the week.   Economic Impact and Tourism Benefits   With 63,400 fans expected to attend, the Brisbane International represents a major economic windfall for the state. Approximately 5,600 visitors are anticipated to travel from outside Queensland, bringing tourism revenue to local hotels, restaurants, and attractions across the region.   Tourism and Events Queensland’s continued support ensures the event maintains its status as a key driver of Queensland’s visitor economy and reinforces Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital.   Wheelchair Tennis Makes Historic Debut   In a significant milestone for inclusive sport, the tournament will debut the ITF 500 Australian Wheelchair International, featuring eight of the world’s best men’s wheelchair tennis players. This addition underscores the Brisbane International’s commitment to showcasing diverse and world-class competitive tennis.   Building Olympic Legacy   Minister for Sport Tim Mander highlighted the tournament’s significance in preparing Queensland for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Brisbane International provides a global platform to demonstrate Queensland’s capacity to host elite sporting events, giving the world a preview of the state’s world-class venue infrastructure and event management capabilities.   “The calibre of athletes competing here will inspire the next generation of Australian tennis players and cement our position as the home of Australian sport,” Mander stated.   A Summer of Tennis Awaits   Tournament Director Cameron Pearson expressed enthusiasm for the event’s prospects, noting the exceptional quality of competitors representing both the WTA and ATP tours, alongside celebrated local Australian talent.   The Pat Rafter Arena is expected to reach capacity, with tickets now available through Ticketmaster. Tennis fans eager to witness world-class tennis and support Australia’s rising stars could secure their seats for what promises to be an unforgettable summer of tennis in Brisbane.   For complete information and ticket availability, visit tennis.com.au/brisbane-international.  

Australia’s temporary visa population has surged to a record 2.9 million people, intensifying pressure on the federal government to overhaul the migration system ahead of the 2026 election campaign. The blow‑out is driving fierce debate over housing, jobs and fairness for both migrants and the broader community.​   Record numbers on temporary visas   New data shows about 10 per cent of Australia’s population is now living in the country on temporary visas as of October 2025, a level 70 per cent higher than in 2019 and above the pre‑pandemic peak. The largest groups are international students (around 638,000) and New Zealand citizens on Special Category visas (about 731,000), with sharp growth also in Temporary Graduate, Working Holiday-Maker and bridging-visa cohorts.​   System under strain   Experts warn a system originally built for short‑term stays is increasingly being used as a long, uncertain pathway to permanent settlement. More than 402,000 people are now on bridging visas, contributing to administrative congestion and long wait times. The Administrative Review Tribunal is dealing with a record 124,000‑case backlog, dominated by student and protection‑visa appeals, raising concerns about fairness and efficiency.​   Calls for major policy reset   Former deputy immigration secretary Dr Abul Rizvi says the numbers show Australia has shifted from “planned permanency” to “unmanaged temporariness” and is at risk of creating a two‑tier society of permanent and perpetual temporary residents. He is urging the government to increase the permanent migration program by 50,000 places a year for the next three years and streamline appeals so people are not left in limbo for years.​   Business and unions demand fixes   Business groups and unions agree the current system is not working, but for different reasons. Universities rely heavily on fee‑paying international students, while sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and aged care depend on temporary workers to fill chronic labour shortages. Employers say slow processing, sudden rule changes and patchy enforcement make workforce planning almost impossible, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for a single digital portal to track applications from lodgement to final decision. Unions, however, argue that the priority must be stronger compliance to prevent wage theft and exploitation of migrant workers in vulnerable sectors.​   High political stakes ahead of 2026   Politically, the record visa numbers are fuelling a heated contest in Canberra. The Coalition accuses the Labor government of letting migration “run off the rails”, while the government says it inherited a broken system and is tightening English‑language standards, student‑visa integrity checks and employer‑sponsorship rules. With a federal election due next year and housing affordability dominating public concern, both major parties are under pressure to show how they will manage migration in a way that supports economic growth while easing pressure on rents, services and social cohesion.  

Queensland’s health system is set for significant improvements following the passage of new legislation aimed at strengthening assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, organ donation, and overall accountability across the healthcare sector.   The Crisafulli Government has passed the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2025, the third omnibus health bill introduced this year. The new laws are designed to enhance patient safety, improve transparency, and deliver a more responsive health system for Queenslanders.   Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, said the bill addresses key gaps left by previous legislation and ensures that families seeking IVF treatment can receive care safely and without unnecessary barriers.   “Labor’s ART Act is the poster child for what can happen if legislation is rushed, and it resulted in a framework that was difficult for providers to navigate and put up heartbreakingly unnecessary barriers for patients desperate to be mums and dads,” Minister Nicholls said.   Revisions to the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 introduce stronger powers for inspectors, improved information collection, and transitional provisions to ensure ongoing treatments are not disrupted. These changes aim to make IVF services safer and more accountable for both patients and providers.   The bill also updates the Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 to support organ donations after circulatory death, a move expected to help more Queenslanders receive life-saving transplants.   “With over 1,800 Australians on the transplant waiting list and more than 14,000 undergoing kidney dialysis, it’s crucial we do everything possible to enable donation where individuals and families support it,” Minister Nicholls said.   Under the new framework, families and next of kin will be able to consent to medical interventions—such as administering medications to preserve organ viability or performing imaging scans—to facilitate organ donation once life support has been withdrawn.   In addition to IVF and organ donation reforms, the bill introduces governance and accountability changes to several health acts, including the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, Private Health Facilities Act 1999, and Health and Wellbeing Queensland Act 2019. These updates will strengthen oversight of leadership roles and implement new national safety standards for cosmetic surgery.   “These changes ensure that those in leadership positions are held to the highest standards and remain accountable to the people of Queensland,” Minister Nicholls added.   The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2025 represents a key step in the Crisafulli Government’s plan to modernize Queensland’s health system and deliver what the Minister described as “a fresh start” for health services across the state.   “This bill is all about delivering a modern, safe, and responsive health system for all Queenslanders by ensuring better protection for patients, improved performance across the system, and stronger foundations for future health reforms,” Minister Nicholls said.  

The Packer’s Prize has long celebrated works that challenge, inspire, and move audiences and this year’s winner does all three. Artists Kuweni Dias Mendis and Grant X Wilkes have been awarded for their breathtaking collaborative work Homecoming, a piece that pulses with memory, identity, and quiet revolution.   Chosen by the team who hang and bring the exhibition to life, The Packer’s Prize is proudly supported by Howard Smith Wharves. Their selection reflects not just technical mastery but emotional resonance a rare ability to turn complex histories into visual poetry.   Homecoming marries cyanotype, botanical toning, pigment, and intricate stitching, creating layers that feel alive with story. The deep blues and natural tones evoke heritage and place, while the textures suggest the interwoven threads of belonging and decolonisation. Together, Mendis and Wilkes reinterpret portraiture, shifting it beyond likeness toward a conversation about who we are, where we come from, and what we reclaim in returning.   Judges praised the work as “deeply considered and innovative,” acknowledging its capacity to transcend conventional portraiture and speak to the heart of contemporary identity.   The recognition doesn’t end there, Homecoming also received the Metro Arts Experimental Portraiture Prize, granting the duo a two-week exhibition at Metro Arts, a space that continues to champion artists unafraid to experiment and provoke thought.   In an era shaped by migration, multiplicity, and cultural reclamation, Homecoming feels especially resonant. It welcomes audiences to reflect on the concept of return not only to a physical homeland, but to the truth of self and the stories that shape us.   Through Homecoming, Kuweni Dias Mendis and Grant X Wilkes remind us that art is not just seen; it is felt, experienced, and remembered. Their work stands as a luminous testament to how collaboration can bridge disciplines and histories and in doing so, bring us home.

Brisbane City Council is calling on suburban pubs to help address a critical shortage of hotel rooms ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The new initiative, dubbed the Suburban Pub Stays Strategy, aims to encourage pub owners and operators to deliver new accommodation and function spaces by utilising large, underutilised sites in the suburbs.   The strategy includes considering planning changes to make it easier for pub owners and operators to build hotel rooms and conference facilities. This push is crucial for the city’s visitor economy; south-east Queensland currently has 46,000 hotel rooms, which is significantly less than the supply found in cities like Los Angeles (120,000) and Paris (133,000), according to a Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) report.   Currently, about 70 Brisbane pubs are situated on sites measuring 2000 square metres or more, yet only 15 of these sites currently support accommodation. The Council estimates that by redeveloping just 20 suburban pubs, more than 1,600 new rooms could be added to Brisbane’s hotel supply, supporting local jobs and businesses.   Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner explained the initiative as “going back to the future,” aiming to bring back a time when suburban pubs commonly offered rooms upstairs. “It’s a simple idea that will help provide more places for families and friends to stay, right near the people they love,” Schrinner said. He also stressed that the strategy aims to strike the right balance by encouraging hotel rooms in appropriate areas while ensuring suburban homes remain available on the long-term rental market.   The need for new hotel investment is urgent, as Property Council research shows a 90 per cent drop in new hotel rooms over the past five years. Hotel construction in Brisbane fell by 90 per cent between 2019 and 2024, partly due to a 40 per cent increase in construction costs and reduced demand during COVID-19.   The suburban pub model offers a viable alternative, as smaller-scale projects can be delivered more affordably and faster than larger inner-city projects. The redevelopment of The Brook Hotel, for instance, was completed in just over a year at a cost of approximately $25 million, demonstrating strong demand for suburban accommodation. The Glen Hotel is also undergoing a major $30 million-plus redevelopment, which will deliver more than 100 five-star hotel rooms. Brian and Cathy Fitzgibbons of The Glen Hotel stated that Council’s support and the Suburban Pub Stays Strategy provide operators with the confidence to invest and “dream bigger and act sooner”.   Industry figures have lauded the strategy as a necessary step. Ross Elliott of Suburban Futures noted that this initiative is a genuine long-term legacy opportunity that allows the suburbs to offer a solution to the accommodation problem. Jess Caire, Executive Director of the Property Council, called the strategy “a great example of how local government can partner with the private sector to deliver the hotel rooms Brisbane needs”. QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the accommodation shortfall is one of the most pressing constraints on the visitor economy.   Bernie Hogan, CEO of the Queensland Hotels Association, concluded that targeted initiatives like this, coupled with existing planning regulation, can help ensure that all suburbs of Brisbane are great places to live for locals while also providing accommodation for city guests.   Pub operators, industry representatives, and residents are encouraged to share their feedback on the Suburban Pub Stays Strategy before 28 February 2026 by searching for the plan via www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.  

Pioneering research highlights how sophisticated financial abuse tactics leave victim-survivors facing bankruptcy, homelessness, and debts reaching millions.   A new national study has exposed a significant policy blind spot, revealing how business structures are being weaponized to perpetrate financial abuse, trapping women in crippling debt and leading to long-term economic hardship. The research highlights how women in heterosexual relationships are disproportionately the targets of this abuse.   The study, the first national analysis of its kind, was conducted in collaboration with the Economic Abuse Reference Group, Associate Professor Vivien Chen of Monash Business School, and Jasmine Opdam, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer at Redfern Legal Centre’s Financial Abuse Service NSW. It set out to fill a knowledge gap regarding how company structures are exploited to cause harm.   Victim-survivors are frequently left with huge financial liabilities, sometimes amounting to millions of dollars, after being unknowingly or forcibly trapped in their ex-partner’s business affairs. Frontline professionals interviewed for the study described a consistent pattern of coercive tactics, including forged signatures, digital impersonation, or secretly installing victim-survivors as company directors. In many instances, the women only discovered these debts after being contacted by private debt collectors or the Australian Tax Office.   No Safeguards for Business Debt   A critical finding of the study is that, unlike consumer credit, business lending falls outside many of the legal protections designed to safeguard borrowers.   “Victim-survivors of coerced business debt don’t have access to free dispute resolution or hardship relief like they would with consumer debt,” explained Jasmine Opdam. She noted that business creditors are not legally required to have hardship policies, and the complex business structures victims are trapped in are costly and complex to unravel.   Associate Professor Vivien Chen stated that while Australia has progressed in addressing financial abuse through consumer credit reforms, there has been little recognition of how tax and company systems can also be exploited. “We need to treat coerced business debt as a serious form of economic abuse and design safeguards to reflect that reality,” she added.   Life-Altering Consequences   The consequences of this abuse are often life-altering, resulting in bankruptcy, homelessness, and ruined credit histories. For many, the severe mental health impacts leave them unable to work or regain financial independence.   Ms. Opdam emphasized that family violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness among women, and financial abuse traps victim-survivors in a cycle of poverty, sometimes leading to devastating psychological toll that prevents recovery.   The hardships are illustrated by the case of Monique (name changed for privacy), who discovered she was a director of her estranged husband’s shop after being chased by creditors for business loans, despite never signing any documents. Monique, who had no assets and was relying on Centrelink payments of about $600 a fortnight, was served a bankruptcy notice for an $85,000 debt. Before contacting help, she had withdrawn her entire superannuation, about $30,000, to try and pay the debt.   Calls for Urgent Reform   The research calls for urgent reform to ensure that victim-survivors are not left to carry the burden of debts they never chose to take on.   Key recommendations include: Tightening safeguards in the ABN and director registration processes. Extending consumer-style protections to small business lending. Reforming corporation and tax laws to recognize that directors may be prevented from managing companies due to family violence. Developing family violence policies, modeled on the Australian Banking Association’s guidelines, to encourage business creditors to respond constructively.  

The Queensland Government has unveiled new legislation to strengthen youth bail monitoring, promising tougher laws and expanded GPS tracking to curb youth reoffending across the state.   Introduced to Parliament today, the Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025 will make electronic monitoring a permanent feature of the state’s justice system and extend its use to more youth offenders. The government says the reforms are aimed at “restoring safety where you live” by holding young offenders accountable and reducing the number of victims of crime.   Youth Justice and Victim Support Minister Laura Gerber said the measures deliver on the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment to strengthen youth crime laws.   “We promised Queenslanders we would continue to strengthen our youth crime laws, and that’s exactly what we are doing,” Minister Gerber said.“Under Adult Crime, Adult Time, youth offenders now face serious consequences for their actions, and these reforms are another step to reduce reoffending and victim numbers.”   According to the government, GPS electronic monitoring has been shown to reduce reoffending by up to 24 per cent. The new legislation comes after two earlier Labor government trials, which critics say saw limited results, with only four young offenders fitted with tracking devices during the first year.   Minister Gerber said the new approach would combine tougher laws with early intervention and rehabilitation programs to address both prevention and accountability. “The Crisafulli Government is cleaning up Labor’s mess and delivering tough youth crime laws alongside early intervention and rehabilitation programs to make Queensland safer,” she said.   The government argues that the former Labor administration weakened Queensland’s youth crime policies by treating detention as a last resort and abolishing breach of bail as an offence — decisions it says contributed to the rise in repeat youth offending.   The expanded GPS monitoring reforms form part of the government’s broader youth justice plan involving additional police resources, community programs, and increased victim support services.