Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause has outlined the LNP’s proposals to fix the youth justice system.
“We have extremely efficient and hard-working police across Queensland, including here in the Scenic Rim – but they are constantly let down by soft laws from a Labor Government that is soft on crime.”
“The juvenile crime crisis which is gripping communities across Queensland is the direct result of Labor’s soft-on-crime policies,” Mr Krause said.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said that one of the first acts of government if the LNP was elected in October would be to introduce tough new crime laws and repeal Labor’s soft ‘catch and release’ laws.
“No more cotton gloves, no more slaps on the wrists, there will be jail time and true consequences for criminal activity under the LNP,” Ms Frecklington said.
“If elected, the LNP will immediately make breach of bail for juveniles an offence again and fix section 48 of the Youth Justice Act 1992 – better known as Labor’s ‘catch and release’ laws.
Mr Krause said that the LNP will bring consequences back to the youth justice system again.
“I have spoken to local police and they are frustrated that their hands are tied and there is no way they can bring about consequences for repeat juvenile offenders. They can be arrested one day, and back out the next – over and over again.”
“Labor’s soft crime laws got Queensland into this mess.”
Mr Krause said that this revolving door approach needed to stop and community safety needs to be the number one priority.
“Blaming the courts and the parents is a cop out and doesn’t solve the problem,” he said.
Mr Krause said the only way to changes these issues for the better is to change the government.
“The LNP will give our Police the laws and resources they need to fix this mess, but we need a majority LNP Government to do it.
“At every turn, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has done all it can to soften crime laws and vote against LNP Bills to toughen them up.
“Actions speak louder than words and Labor’s record is abysmal.
“When the LNP went to re-introduce breach of bail last year, Labor used their numbers to vote against it. Despite warnings and opposition from the LNP, Annastacia Palaszczuk pushed through with Labor’s ‘catch and release’ laws.
“Labor MPs also voted against the LNP’s plan for a child sex offender register and against our tough new offence for child homicide,” Mr Krause said.