The inflammatory comments criticising a North Queensland magistrate’s decision to allow multiple child offenders to walk free on bail instead of being detained in overcrowded holding centres came last Friday from Deputy Premier Steven Miles.

The criticisms have in turn subjected the Palaszczuk Government to claims of political interference in the judiciary’s function.

Bailey told reporters in Brisbane that Miles was entitled to his view, and that he shared the Deputy Premier’s frustration with lenient court decisions.

“Everyone is entitled to their point of view on this, whether that’s government ministers or bar associations; it’s free speech and democracy, that’s a part of our culture and society,” he said.

The comments come as the Palaszczuk Government prepares to introduce new ‘tough on crime’ legislation to the State Parliament next week, amid complaints from the LNP Opposition that key stakeholders and the community have not been consulted and no time has been given to properly scrutinise the proposed law changes.

Bailey said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had foreshadowed the draft legislation with the release of a ‘ten-point plan’ on crime prior to Christmas and that further details would be “brought forward at the earliest opportunity”.

“This is a high priority for the government and they are a range of measures that will be evidence based,” he said.

As the government projects a more hardline position to bring rampant youth crime under control, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is questioning the five-month delay in the release of the state’s latest Public Sector Workforce Profile report, which would indicate numbers of frontline police, along with other public sector professionals such as teachers and health workers.

As previously reported by InQueensland, the Palaszczuk Government went to the last election promising more frontline police, but has struggled with recruitment and retention, raising alarm bells with the Queensland Police Union.

Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said he was also concerned.

“Clearly, the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s promise of 1450 extra police by 2025 is in tatters,” he said.

“We know the last survey showed there are 12 fewer officers on the frontline in Queensland compared to two years ago despite crime rates going through the roof.

“Is that why the Palaszczuk Labor Government is refusing to release the numbers? In the middle of a crime epidemic, Queenslanders deserve to know exactly how many police officers are working to keep them safe.”

Bailey said he was wondering why the LNP wanted the data.

“The last time they were in power they sacked 14,000 public servants. It looks like they’re lining up again to do the same thing,” he said.

“Campbell Newman went on film before he was elected and said there would be no cuts, and yet as soon as they got into power it was cut, sack and sell. The LNP they don’t change very much and so you have to wonder why they are so obsessed with this data.”