Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington is proud to be part of the Crisafulli Government that is strengthening its commitment to community safety by introducing major reforms to Queensland’s drug laws, restoring real consequences for repeat offenders and improving protections for the public.

After a decade of weakened laws, the new approach ensures that people who repeatedly break drug laws face meaningful penalties, while still giving first‑time, low‑risk offenders access to health‑based support.

The new framework will;

• Limit drug diversion to a single opportunity for eligible first‑time offenders
• Introduce on‑the‑spot fines or criminal charges for repeat offenders
• Maintain health‑based diversion pathways to break the cycle of addiction early
• Provide police with stronger powers and greater discretion to respond to drug offending
• Improve efficiency for frontline officers and reduce pressure on the courts

These changes will form part of the Government’s broader plan to make Queensland safer, put more police on the frontline, and restore consequences for unlawful behaviour.

“Labor’s previous diversion scheme gave offenders multiple chances without meaningful consequences, sending the wrong message about dangerous drug use,” Deb said.

“Dangerous drugs fuel crime and destroy lives. These reforms make it clear there is no safe way to use dangerous drugs and repeat offenders will face real consequences.”

“We are delivering on our promise to continue strengthening youth crime laws until safety is restored to our region, after a decade of Labor’s weak laws created a generation of hardcore repeat youth offenders,” Deb said.

The Crisafulli Government has also expanded its landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws to 45 youth crime offences, with new legislation passed in the Queensland Parliament as part of its commitment to making Queensland safer.

The Bill adds a dozen new offences to Adult Crime, Adult Time, delivering on the Crisafulli Government’s promise to strengthen youth crime laws and turn the tide on Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.

Since the passage of the Making Queensland Safer Laws, more than 4,000 youth offenders have been charged with over 19,000 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, and the number of crime victims has fallen by 7.2% in 2025 compared to the previous year.