By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- The Queensland government has been forced to reconsider controversial changes to juvenile justice laws, after widespread protest.

The changes were criticised by Criminal Justice Commissioner Frank Clair as "seriously flawed" and in conflict with international standards. The changes will now be reviewed by a state parliamentary committee on August 1, with members of the public and community groups invited to make submissions.

The new laws include a curfew on youth, allowing the fingerprinting of children, permitting courts to order parents to pay damages in restitution for their children's offences and allowing police to issue a "caution" which could be used as a "criminal history" in later court hearings.

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