Qld deputy premier short on sympathy for 'juvenile grubs'

Concern had been expressed about the impact of lockdowns on the health of young offenders at centres like the Cleveland Youth Detention centre in Townsville. (Background Briefing: Baz Ruddick)

Queensland's deputy premier says he does not have sympathy for children in youth detention centres during lockdowns amid concerns over the safety of workers.

Concern had been expressed about the impact of lockdowns on the health of young offenders.

Meetings will be held in coming weeks between the Australian Workers Union and the government over staff safety.

Queensland's deputy premier says he has no sympathy for "juvenile grubs" in youth detention centres after concerns were raised about their welfare during lockdowns.

Jarrod Bleijie suggested it was often the children's fault they had been placed in lockdown, pointing to reports of frequent attacks against staff.

"A lockdown is for the safety of not only the offenders but the workers, and it is because some juvenile grub has caused the lockdown in the first place, whether they have started a physical altercation or whatever the case may be," he said.

"So, if you're thinking you are going to find sympathy from me for a youth offender in our youth justice system, you ain't gonna get it from me."

Jarrod Belijie met with Flying Whale representatives during a Paris visit in 2025. (ABC News: Sarah Richards)

On Thursday, Australian Workers Union (AWU) members stopped work at every youth detention centre across Queensland after a reported 387 serious assaults against workers at the centres in the past year.

"No worker should have to go to work worried about being assaulted and injured," AWU Queensland secretary Stacey Schinnerl said.

Staff stopped work at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Background Briefing: Baz Ruddick)

Youth Advocacy Centre chief executive Katherine Hayes said kids were confined to their cells for up to 23 hours a day during lockdowns and raised concerns about the impact on their health and rehabilitation.

"In the Wacol Youth Remand Centre kids haven't been able to shower," she said.

"In the other detention centres, they don't have access to exercise, education or medical facilities.

Ms Hayes said lockdowns had been reported at centres for weeks and months, and they were often imposed due to staff shortages.

"I've heard it said that the children themselves have caused the lockdown, but the vast majority that we see … are caused by staff shortages," she said.

West Moreton and Brisbane Youth Detention Centre was included in the stop work action