The Youth Justice Minister has denied playing politics with the late-night release of a long-awaited report on youth justice. 

Afternoons with Sofie Formica yesterday asked Leanne Linard’s department when the Atkinson Report, which the Palaszczuk government has had since March, was due to be released.

“We were told again yesterday, ‘Very soon’,” Sofie said. “Well, it was yesterday. In fact, at 8.17pm last night, it was made public. Minister, it does smack of politics.”

Ms Linard rejected Sofie’s suggestion, insisting the release coincided with a “long-form, exclusive interview” with another media outlet.

“I’m not interested in playing politics on these issues,” she told Sofie. “My portfolio deals with the most vulnerable people, young children and community safety.

“And of course, it was released on a Tuesday. I’m always available to answer any questions about it and in fact, I think it’s an excellent report, so I’m glad it’s been released.”

She said the report gave valuable insight on the complexities of the young offenders cohort and formed a “snapshot” of the changes introduced by the Palaszczuk government last year.

“We are seeing the responses from those investments,” she continued.

The release of the Atkinson Report came hours after an independent report by the Justice Reform Initiative revealed Queensland has more children behind bars than any other state or territory.

The organisation’s executive director, Mindy Sotiri, yesterday told Sofie prison sentences have been proven to fail in deterring children from reoffending.

Ms Linard accepted that diversion programs are more effective at reducing crime rates but said the community expects recidivist offenders to be jailed.

“We absolutely have to have programs to divert and intervene to break the cycle but we also have to have facilities to detain when required.”

“There is no easy solution when you’re dealing with the sort of complex things we’re dealing with.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview