Labor fails community on bail laws

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto says the State Labor Government’s amendments to the Youth Justice Act have worsened Townsville’s crime crisis.

MISGUIDED social engineering by the State Labor Government has dramatically worsened Townsville’s youth crime crisis, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto.

The Katter’s Australian Party MP said he stood with the police officers and lawyers mentioned in a recent media article who were adamant the government’s new youth justice bail laws had made it more difficult to keep a young offender in custody by adding an additional layer of special consideration, particularly if the child is under 14 years.

“This State Labor Government has been brainwashed by do-gooders who want to believe that children don’t actually mean it if they steal, threaten or harm innocent people. This is utter nonsense. They know what they are doing.” he said.

“The 11-year-old boy who allegedly brandished a knife while trying to a rob a fish and chip shop had already been granted bail 10 times before this alleged incident. Generally speaking, how many chances should any young offender under the age of 14 get before the government realises they are a risk to the community?”

Mr Dametto said Katter’s Australian Party’s relocation sentencing policy would be the “short circuit” required to get young offenders “back on track”.

“At the crux of our policy is getting young offenders away from the bad influences that contributed to their criminal behaviour in the first place by sending them to a remote property west of Mt Isa were they will get back to country, learn life skills on the land and at the same time, reform,” he said.

“It’s about reprogramming these young offenders so when they come back, they can reintegrate into society and become productive members.”

Mr Dametto is sponsoring a parliamentary e-petition by Take Back Townsville co-ordinator Julianne Wood calling for the government to make significant legislative changes to introduce tougher penalties for offenders, including juveniles, so that law-abiding citizens can live in peace.

Since being launched on December 17 last year, the e-petition has already amassed more than 7000 signatures.

To view the petition, click here.