QUEENSLAND

TOTAL OFFENDERS

In 2015–16 there were 100,539 offenders in Queensland, which accounted for 24% of all offenders in Australia. This was the highest number of offenders in Queensland since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09. In comparison, Queensland represented 20% of the total Australian Estimated Resident Population aged 10 years and over as at 31 December 2015. (Table 6 and Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0))

The offender rate decreased by 1% between 2014–15 and 2015–16, from 2,439 to 2,412 offenders per 100,000 persons. Queensland had the third highest offender rate of all states and territories. (Table 6)


SEX

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16 in Queensland:

• The number of male offenders decreased by 2% (or 1,392 offenders), to 74,874 offenders. This was the second largest percentage decrease in male offenders for all states and territories behind Victoria where male offenders decreased by 4%.
• The number of female offenders increased by 7% (1,641 offenders) to 25,665. (Tables 8–15)

PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

In 2015–16, the five most common principal offences were:

• Illicit drug offences (26,968 offenders, or 27%)
• Public order offences (17,114 offenders, or 17%)
• Theft (14,201 offenders, or 14%)
• Offences against justice (10,415 offenders, or 10%)
• Acts intended to cause injury (10,144 offenders, or 10%)

The number of offenders of Illicit drug offences decreased by less than 1% (or 47 offenders) from 2014–15, to 26,968 offenders in 2015–16. However, this division still accounted for the highest proportion of offenders in Queensland (27%).

The number of offenders of Public order offences decreased by 11% (or 2,184 offenders) from 2014–15, to 17,114 offenders in 2015–16. Queensland had the largest decrease in the number of offenders of Public order offences across all states and territories. Despite the 11% decrease, this division accounted for the second highest proportion of offenders in Queensland (17%).

The number of offenders of Acts intended to cause injury increased by 7% (or 689 offenders) from 2014–15, to 10,144 offenders in 2015–16. This was the highest number of offenders for this division since 2009–10. (Table 6)


REPEAT OFFENDERS

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16, the proportion of offenders proceeded against on more than one separate occasion within the reference period increased from 31% to 33%. This continues a gradual increase in the proportion of offenders proceeded against more than once in Queensland since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09. (Table 16)


YOUTH OFFENDERS

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16, the youth offender rate in Queensland decreased by 1% from 2,671 to 2,632 youth offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10–17. This was the lowest youth offender rate in Queensland since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09. (Table 19)


POLICE PROCEEDINGS

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16, the total number of police proceedings increased by 5% (or 8,617 proceedings) to 178,817 proceedings. Queensland had the second highest increase in the number police proceedings of the selected states and territories behind New South Wales which increased by 16,945 proceedings.

Court actions increased by 6% (or 7,867 proceedings) to total 146,272 proceedings in 2015–16. This was mainly due to increases in proceedings for Illicit drug offences (increased by 3,290 proceedings or 10%), Theft (increased by 3,067 proceedings or 13%), and Offences against justice (increased by 2,907 proceedings or 12%).

Non-court actions increased by 2% (or 749 proceedings) in 2015–16. Public order offences were the most common principal offence proceeded against by non-court actions, accounting for 38% of all non-court proceedings in Queensland. (Tables 26–31)

For further information, refer to the other chapters of this publication, or contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070. When reporting ABS statistics, please attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.