Qld youth detention complaints spike

There's been a dramatic spike in breaches by staff at Queensland's youth detention centres.

The LNP opposition says it will be demanding answers from the Labor government after the number of proven complaints against staff more than tripled in the past two years.

Government figures cited by the ABC show that in 2014/15 there were 22 proven breaches - such as failing to provide duty of care - but that figure climbed dramatically to 76 in 2015/16.

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the government could expect questions.

"That is a huge number of allegations substantiated," he told ABC radio.

The government has released a statement saying youth justice is a complex and sensitive issue, and that young detainees are encouraged to raise any complaints, which are always fully investigated.

Earlier this year, the government ordered a review of Queensland's youth detention system, including claims by Amnesty International of a systemic "culture of abuse and secrecy".

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath has defended the review, after suggestions its terms of reference are too narrow.

She says it will examine the oversight of the system and potential systemic failings.