Triple fatality a tragic failure of the Palaszczuk Government

KAP MPS – Shane Knuth, Robbie Katter and Nick Dametto at Parliament

2 May 2023

Youth crime in Queensland has surged to catastrophic levels following the tragic and senseless crash in Maryborough over the weekend that left three people dead and another critically injured. The vehicle that caused the carnage was allegedly stolen and being driven by a 13-year-old boy who was known to police.

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said that on behalf of KAP and the Hinchinbrook electorate he expressed his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims involved in the weekend tragedy.

“It was gut-wrenching to hear that these innocent people simply going about their everyday lives were taken out by somebody with no regard for others and no regard for the law,” he said.

“The Labor Government is enabling this behaviour and they have failed in this latest raft of laws they implemented. It hasn’t even put a dent in youth offending.

“The Youth Justice Minister and the Premier have failed these victims on the weekend and because they don’t have the guts to make the kiddy crims responsible then they need to wear this responsibility themselves, and that’s how the community will see it.”

Youth crime in Townsville and Cairns was rampant on the weekend. In Townsville, police cars were rammed and 15 cars were stolen in three days. In Cairns, teens ran riot inside the Smithfield Shopping Centre causing senseless damage and destruction including spray painted vandalism gloating about being a recent release from the Cleveland Detention Centre.

“KAP warned the Palaszczuk Government that if they didn’t implement laws strong enough to send a shockwave through these kids, the laws and any efforts made will be worthless. These kids couldn’t care less about Labor’s recent legislative changes.

“The Government find ways to regulate and punish massive cohorts of people for things such as speeding or driving while using their mobile phones, yet we have descended into youth crime hell here in Queensland and insanely, the State Labor Government is unable to come up with a policy that has any affect.

“These offenders know they can act with complete lawlessness because there is no law to control them.”

Next week, Cairns will be hosting the regional sitting of Parliament where KAP will be making sure the community’s views on youth crime are heard.

“I hope the State Government isn’t intending to waste their time in North Queensland by debating Path to Treaty when the number one topic in North Queensland is currently youth crime.”

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Photo: KAP MPs Shane Knuth, Robbie Katter and Nick Dametto

Media Enquiries: Catherine Holden – 0416 817 333