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Queensland Greens MP accuses committee of trying to ‘bury’ submission on youth crime

Queensland Greens MP Michael Berkman has accused a parliamentary committee of attempting to “bury” a whistleblower’s submission during a heated debate on the state’s controversial youth crime laws.

Watch house officer Steven Marshall’s submission to the state’s economic and governance committee detailed “human rights breaches” he claims he witnessed at Brisbane City watch house between 2018 and 2019.

The submission – which was quickly removed from the parliament website – outlined shocking allegations such as “illegal strip searches”, adults exposing themselves to children and staff wrapping towels around prisoners’ heads to avoid spit hood protocols.

Guardian Australia unsuccessfully sought a statement from the committee about why the submission was removed.

Berkman tabled Marshall’s submission to parliament on Wednesday as he claimed the committee had chosen to “bury” it rather than “shining some light” on it.

“I now table a copy of that submission so that it’s at least on the record in this debate,” he said.

Queensland police confirmed on Tuesday they were reviewing claims outlined in the submission, noting it was published by the committee “very briefly and then withdrawn”.

A police spokesperson said “an enquiry was made to the committee regarding the existence of submission 58 due to the QPS noting a discrepancy when cross-checking submissions against the list”.

The state parliament is debating the youth crime bill this week, which includes making breach of bail an offence for children and expanding an electronic monitoring trial for children as young as 15.

During the debate, Berkman was asked to leave the chamber before accusing the government of driving “a baseless, media driven response that suspends the Human Rights Act on four occasions to deny children their rights.”

This is a disgraceful piece of legislation and I hope each and every one of these members of the government feels shame.

Health minister Yvette D’Ath defended the government’s response, saying the laws were specifically targeted towards serious, repeat offenders.

The Greens’… position, it ignores all of the investment [the] government has made and continues to make to try to change the direction of the young kids’ lives going forward.”

What is really important is not just the time they spend in detention, but what we do to support them through the process … and [that] wraparound support.