Seven years ago the Palaszczuk Labor Government watered-down Queensland’s crime laws by amending the Youth Justice Act.
Seven years ago they gave rise to a generation of untouchables.
Now, youth criminals freely roam Queensland Streets with no consequences for their actions.
Now, youth criminals know their rights are more important than the rights of their victims.
Queenslanders have paid the price of this decision for seven long years.
As with the rest of Queensland, the Sunshine Coast is not impervious to the rise of crime. The stats below speak for themselves…..
Local crime stats (Sunshine Coast QPS District)
- Last 12 months (June 2021 to May 2022 vs June 2022 to May 2023)
- Stolen cars: 573 to 786 = up 37%
- Break and enters: 1,336 to 1,639 = up 23%
- Assault: 1,942 to 1,965 = up 1%
- Under the Palaszczuk Labor Government (June 2015 to May 2016 vs June 2022 to May 2023)
- Stolen cars: 411 to 786 = up 91%
- Break and enters: 1,493 to 1,639 = up 10%
- Other theft: 6,186 to 7,214 = up 17%
There must be consequences for actions, we must unshackle the judiciary by removing detention as a last resort and deliver gold standard early intervention.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government watered down youth crime laws by:
- Removing the offence of Breach of Bail for youth
- Introducing a policy of Detention as a Last Resort
- Removing transparency by closing the Children’s Magistrates Court for youth justice matters
- Prohibiting identification of youth dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
- Ruling previous youth offences inadmissible in court when sentencing adult offences (where no conviction was recorded).
The first priority of any government should be to ensure the safety of its citizens – yet the State Labor Government is failing with towns holding community rallies demanding action from the State Government. It’s just not good enough.
