Queensland Labor’s lurch to the right on youth justice shows a government that’s lost principles and perspective

Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, once argued detaining young offenders for low-level offences would make the situation worse – but has now adopted the move as official Labor policy. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Late on Tuesday night, the Queensland government called youth organisations and other social service providers to parliament house for a confidential briefing about changes to the Youth Justice Act.

Four senior ministers – including the premier, Steven Miles - walked through the doors. Attendees describe what happened next as “like an ambush”.