Coercive control and child sex crimes will be included in the Queensland government's overhaul of bail laws introduced into parliament today.
The breach bail, go to jail proposed laws include the introduction of a new test, requiring courts or police to deny bail unless they are satisfied "to a high degree of confidence" that a person won't reoffend.
"These will be the strongest bail laws in the country and the biggest reform in Queensland's history," Premier David Crisafulli said.
The Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 would create a new standalone offence for both adults and children.
Under the bill, offenders who commit a serious crime while on bail will face the prospect of a mandatory minimum 12 months in jail.
It will be applied to 47 Adult Crime, Adult Time (ACAT) offences, like murder, manslaughter and car theft, for both youth and adults.
But additional offences will be captured for adults.
The new offence will carry a maximum sentence of three years in jail.
"Today I can confirm our bail laws will also apply to adults who are charged with coercive control or child sex offences that are covered by Daniel's law under the Criminal Code," Mr Crisafulli told parliament today.
Offences under Daniel's Law include indecent treatment of a child, and creating child exploitation material.
"If you commit an offence that potentially could make you a registered child sex offender, not only would it be harder for you to get bail, but if you breach your bail, you will go to jail," police minister Dan Purdie said.
Domestic violence prevention minister Amanda Camm said alongside coercive control, a person charged with offences including strangulation, aggravated assault, stalking and rape while on bail would also be captured by the laws.
"They have been calling for consequences for those [serious] perpetrators … who continue to repeat their offences when out on bail, and victims of domestic and family violence deserve the strongest laws."
The government has dodged questions over the past few days about how it came to land on the 12-month mandatory minimum sentence figure, following concerns experts had not been consulted.
"We've been listening to Queenslanders, been at barbecues, been at pubs, we've been at breakfast with many victims of crime, we've been working with our industry groups," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said.
When asked today if it was it was appropriate the most significant bail reforms in Queensland's history be done in consultation at barbecues, the premier said the same people had been consulted for the past 10 years, and crime had grown.
"I think it's probably a little unfair to say that," Mr Crisafulli said about the question.
"Behind me, you've got people who represent many thousands of people. We're about to go on a big committee process and people will have a say in that regard too."
Overcrowding at prisons and detention centres has been a major concern flagged by stakeholders in recent weeks.
The youth justice minister has conceded the proposed law changes will likely lead to more people behind bars.
It currently costs Queensland taxpayers $334 a day to keep one prisoner behind bars — nearly $122,000 a year.
When asked if any modelling had been done to predict the cost of the law changes, as more offenders are funnelled into prisons, the attorney-general didn't directly answer.
The government has promised breach bail, go to jail will be law by the end of the year.
To pass the laws, the Government will override the Human Rights Act, citing exceptional circumstances.
"This exceptional step has been taken in response to the prevalence of serious repeat offending committed while on bail, and the very high risk of serious harm posed to members of the community by that offending," Ms Frecklington said.
