There was an important debate in State Parliament on June 18 when the Palaszczuk Labor Government rolled back important youth justice reforms made by the LNP.
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In 2014 the LNP introduced reforms to strengthen the response to youth crime across Queensland – an issue unfortunately, often more prevalent in regional centres like Mount Isa. Crime committed by young people needs to be addressed otherwise they go on to become adult criminals. They know how to work the system and they threaten the safety of Queensland communities. In 2011, 32% of offenders in youth detention in Queensland had been there five times or more – a core group were simply not getting the message. We needed to have a better approach to ensure balance between rehabilitation on one side and penalties as strong deterrents on the other.
The LNP changes were about improving the system – re-enforcing the notion the law needs to be upheld.
We have a cohort of repeat youth offenders constantly thumbing their nose at the police and the courts because they know they can get away with it. In 2014-15, 10% of offenders were responsible for 45% of all proven offences.
Reforms, such as naming and shaming repeat youth offenders and making ‘breach of bail’ an offence were aimed at recidivist juvenile offenders who must start taking responsibility for their actions. Going soft not only does the community a disservice, but does young offenders a disservice as well.
We know that Labor is soft on crime. It was no surprise to us to witness these strong reforms wound back. But what a disappointment to see the no-show from Robbie Katter.
I am not sure constituents in Mount Isa would be pleased he did not speak against Labor’s softened stance on juvenile crime, let alone turn up to vote against it.
The unfortunate thing is that the changes brought in by the LNP in 2014 were starting to make a difference, but were never given a real chance to work. Equally, there was no proper review of the changes, just undoing for the sake of undoing all because the changes were made by the LNP and not Labor.
It was, and remains, our commitment to do two things: to protect the community from crime; and to help police stop a revolving door of youth offenders who really need help to break their cycle of crime.
Ian Walker MP
Shadow Attorney-General