Queensland’s strict youth bail laws to be tested by bid to return children to custody, expert says

Human Rights Act could be key factor in appeal against the release of a group of youths in Townsville

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The Queensland government’s appeal against the release of several children detained in police watch houses looms as a test for the state’s controversial youth bail laws and its Human Rights Act, legal experts say.

Last week, Townsville children’s court released 13 children being held on remand in the city’s police watch house. Some had been in the adult holding cells for an extended period due to overcrowding in the youth detention system.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup