The Queensland Labor Government has been accused of spending close to $1000 a day on transporting youth detainees around the state over seven months.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington claims documents from government departments, including Queensland Police Service, reveal more than $180,000 was spent on taxis and air flights to transfer inmates between November 2017 and May 2018.
In one instance, $3600 was allegedly "wasted" because of a no-show by the detainees, and $82,500 was spent flying offenders home after stints in youth detention centres in north Queensland.
Ms Frecklington said Labor was juggling the overcrowding of detention centres by shuffling detainees across the state by using charter flights when there are cheaper means to transfer them.
"Earlier this year, more than $6000 was spent transferring three youth detainees from Brisbane to Townsville due to overcrowding," she said in a statement.
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"Three other times in just the last six months, Labor put young thugs in charter flights when coach and rail options covered the same route."
Another example put forward by the LNP was booking charted planes at a cost of $21,890 between Mt Isa and Townsville when commercial flights were unavailable.
Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer has been contacted for comment.
