Dametto outraged as Brisbane secures new special prosecutors to take on juvenile offenders

Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto MP

20 August 2021

MEMBER for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto MP is furious as the Townsville Bulletin has today confirmed that in the coming weeks, two new civilian prosecutors will commence in Brisbane to take on the ‘worst’ juvenile offenders.[1]

Nick Dametto MP said North Queensland, particularly across the three centres of Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa had been battling relentless youth crime rates for the last five years.

In Queensland on a per capita basis, unlawful entry offences occur at a rate of 60 per 100,000 people in Brisbane (according to data from the last 12 months).

In comparison they occur at a rate of up to 244 per 100,000 people in Townsville (based on May, 2021 data), 313 per 100,000 people in Mount Isa and 192 per 100,000 people in Cairns.

With regards to unlawful use of a motor vehicle, in the last 12 months it has occurred at a peak rate of 27 offences per 100,000 in Brisbane in the past 12 months.

Whereas in Townsville it has peaked at 76 offences per 100,000 people in the same period, 85 per 100,000 people in Mount Isa and 83 per 100,000 in Cairns.

Mr Dametto MP said these were statistics that kept members of his community up at night, and that North Queensland needed the same treatment Brisbane has received to address chronic and escalating juvenile offenders.

On behalf of the KAP, he has today called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to ensure two special prosecutors are to be based in Townsville within the coming weeks.

“We have innocent people losing lives, law-abiding citizens being held hostage in their homes, families’ cars being stolen and lit on fire; Townsville residents just want to feel safe in their homes, Mr Dametto said.

“While it is horrific and unacceptable that Wallabies Toutai Kefu and his family was attacked in their own homes by juveniles, this is not an issue isolated to the south-east.

“For years North Queenslanders have lived in fear they will be a target while asleep at night or be subject to mugging or car-jacking while going about their days.”

Mr Dametto said it was unacceptable that it had taken such a high-profile event to call the State Government to attention and that the entire State has had enough.

[1] https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/queensland/new-police-prosecutors-to-take-on-hardcore-juvenile-offenders/news-story/618e2e45fd69804310e1691281570a20