Queensland police to retain right to charge children over minor drug offences for which adults receive only warning

The proposed changes would give Queensland police the discretion to charge a child with minor drug offences, including in a first instance. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

Queensland police will retain the right to charge children over minor drug offences for which adults will soon only receive a warning, under new drug laws introduced last week.

The state government’s Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill would give adults caught carrying small quantities of illicit substances three chances before facing a criminal charge.