Govt to weigh up opening juvenile court to media

Queensland journalists may soon have greater access to the courts when covering cases involving young defendants, following the public outcry when a grandmother’s alleged murderer fronted court behind closed doors.

Premier Steven Miles said the state government would carry out consultation, which would also include allowing families of victims into the courts.

“We believe that kind of transparency, that kind of scrutiny is important and is appropriate,” Mr Miles said.

Media were banned from covering the key court hearings after grandmother Vyleen White, 70, was killed at the Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre in Ipswich on February 3.

Ms White was allegedly stabbed to death by a teenager, who then allegedly fled the scene in her Hyundai.

Police have since charged five juveniles in relation to the alleged attack, including a 16year-old Bellbird Park boy who was charged with her murder.

However, when media, including NCA NewsWire, applied to the courts to cover proceedings on the first day the teen fronted court, journalists were blocked by acting magistrate Robert Turra in Ipswich Magistrates Court.

Mr Turra said that the media’s presence in the court could be “prejudicial” to the 16year-old boy charged with murder.

Richlands Magistrate Aaron Simpson was the only magistrate willing to let reporters remain in the courtroom when one of the five teens charged following Ms White’s death – another 16-year-old charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle – appeared.

In 2016, youth justice matters were also closed to the public in the lower courts.

The state government also overturned laws allowing repeat young offenders going through the court system to be named in media reports.

Mr Miles said his government would now consult with stakeholders before writing the laws.