Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
QLD youth crime climbs, opposition calls for action
Queensland’s opposition says the number of “hardcore” repeat youth offenders has doubled in the past two years and the Palaszczuk government must act.
August 6, 2023
Queensland’s opposition has called for the justice system to get tougher on young offenders, claiming the Sunshine State is lawless.
LNP leader David Crisafulli says the number of “hardcore” repeat youth offenders has doubled from 10 to 20 per cent over the past two years.
“Queenslanders have never felt less safe in their homes,” he told reporters on Sunday.
He said the state had become the crime capital of Australia and called for more police patrolling the streets.
“If you’re in Queensland, you’re twice as likely to be assaulted (and) three times as likely to have your car pinched than if you live in NSW,” he said.
“It’s time to unshackle the judiciary and remove detention as last resort.
“It’s time to get serious about early intervention.”
Mr Crisafulli said a rise in youth crime was a result of the Palaszczuk government watering down the state’s crime laws.
“Queenslanders are living in fear of a generation of hardcore repeat youth criminals who are laughing at the state government’s weak attempts to fix the youth crime crisis they created,” he said.
Concerns about youth crime have flared in Queensland in recent months, with a recent Freshwater Strategy Poll finding it was the third-biggest issue to voters after cost of living and housing.